The vast majority of homes have at least one water heater in regular use. And the majority of people have experienced water heater problems at least once in a life time, which is quite expected since they are used so frequently. Calling a professional to resolve any issue that appears certainly is the easiest solution. However, it is not necessarily the fastest and certainly not the cheapest since most common water heater issues can be fixed by the user themselves. Here is how to do it.
Initial Concerns
No matter how trivial the problem seems to be, do not rush in. Check everything carefully and under no circumstances try to do any interior repairs unless you turned the power off. This may seem redundant to some but it always needs to be emphasized.
Temperature Problems
If there is no hot water the first step would be to check if the thermostat is set properly. If your ordinary setting and water consumption has not been changed, the next step is to test the thermostat. If this turns out to be negative, meaning that there is nothing wrong with the thermostat, the source of the problem is a faulty heating element. Replace it and you will have hot water again. On the other hand, if the water is too hot and lowering the thermostat does not solve it, you need to replace pressure relief valve.
Red or Orange Water
If you notice traces of red or orange paint in the water coming out of the water heater, there is only one possible reason, rust started to develop inside the water tank. This means that the anode rod whose purpose is to stop corrosion is faulty and needs to be replaced. If you reacted promptly, problem solved. On the other hand, if the problem existed for some time a more complex action needs to be taken. Empty the heater, fully dry it and repaint the interior. If the damaged is beyond repair, the water heater needs to be replaced.
Leaks
Leaks are probably the most common issue related to water heaters, say plumbers from Monmouth County. In case the leaking spot cannot be unmistakably determined, the first thing to do is to tighten all existing bolts inside and outside of water heater. If this makes no difference, next in the line is temperature and pressure relief valve. Finally, if this does not solve the problem, check the water heater thoroughly for any signs of corrosion. If this is the case, the best and safest option is to have it replaced.
Sediment Issues
Sooner or later any water heater shows issues related to sediment build up. The longer it grows the less water capacity the heater has and the heating element becomes less effective, resulting in lower water temperature as well. All in all, this needs to be dealt with periodically and thoroughly. It will need to be completely emptied and all accumulated sediment removed from the walls and heating elements. Make sure you check the heating elements in detail since they can be damaged by the sediment and need to be replaced in order to have a fully functional water heater again.
The majority of common water heater issues may be resolved by the owners themselves. Following security procedure is a must and timing is of the essence in most cases. Regularly check the operation of the water heater and react promptly to any issues; this will make any potential repairs a lot easier.