Water heaters today are built to last. Many have lengthy warranties, and you hope to be able to use them without issue for many years to come. However, problems will inevitably arise with the combination of heat, water, and the various components that make them work.

Many problems with your heater are not fatal; the key to repairing them is correctly identifying what’s wrong. Here are our top 9 water heater problems, along with some advice on how to fix them to help you with your diagnosis.

If you are looking for a commercial plumber in Melbourne, feel free to reach out to Locality Plumbing.

Common Water Heater Problems – Before You Start

There are various types of water heaters, including those that run on gas and those that run on electricity. Electric water heaters are high-voltage appliances, so use extreme caution when working with one.

Before doing anything with the heater’s electrical components, ensure the power is turned off – this includes turning off the breaker for your heater in the service panel.

Another precaution is to use a voltage tester to test all wires before handling them. Failure to do so can cause serious injury or even death.

1. Water Not Hot Enough

Again, the lack of hot water will depend on the type of heater you have.

If you have a tank heater, your tank may be too small for your needs. If your tank is too small for the number of people showering, you may run out of hot water before everyone is done.

If this is the case, you should consider purchasing a new water heater to meet your needs.

Sppose your heater previously produced enough hot water for everyone but suddenly stopped or no longer heats the water sufficiently. In that case, the problem is most likely due to a failing heating element. Check them and replace them as needed.

Another quick fix is to check the thermostat; you may only need to turn it up a notch. It’s also worth noting that you may need to raise the thermostat in the winter because the groundwater you’re heating is colder than in the summer.

If you have a tankless heater, you may be trying to run too many fixtures for the unit’s power, so double-check the number of fixtures your unit is rated for. The issue could be that your heater is insufficiently powerful for your needs.

Tankless heaters must also work harder in the winter, so if you are experiencing this issue during the colder months, this could be the cause. You should think about upgrading to a more powerful unit.

2. Water Too Hot

This is almost certainly due to an overly high thermostat setting, but it’s a simple fix. Simply lower the thermostat, and you should be fine.

If that doesn’t work, check the temperature pressure valve; if it’s broken, the heater won’t turn off when it reaches the proper temperature. This is a dangerous situation, and the valve must be replaced immediately.

3. Water Heater Takes Too Long To Heat

Faulty heating elements, sediment buildup on the elements, and a faulty thermostat are all possible causes of water taking a long time to heat. Check each of these individually and replace them as needed.

4. Low Water Pressure In Water Heater

Insufficiently wide pipes frequently cause low water pressure. Older homes typically have 12″ pipes, whereas newer homes typically have 34″ pipes.

If you live in an older home with low water pressure, the problem may not be with the boiler; instead, you may need to consider installing wider pipes to solve the problem.

5. Water Heater No Hot Water

There are several possible causes of no hot water, and you must work through each one methodically to eliminate each one – and this will also depend on whether you have an electric or gas-powered heater.

The most obvious reason an electric heater does not work is a lack of power. Begin by checking to see if the circuit breaker has been tripped. If it has, it’s a simple fix: turn it off and on again. If the fuse has blown, you may also need to replace it. The high-temperature cut-off must then be tested. Press the red “reset” button to open the panel. Check to see if the water has begun to heat. A faulty heating element or elements is another possibility, and these should be tested and replaced as needed.

If you’ve checked all of these and still can’t figure out why you don’t have hot water, it’s time to call a professional. Get your hot water repaired in Melbourne at Locality Plumbing.

6. Dirty Water In Water Heater

If your water begins to turn a dirty rust color, you are most likely dealing with corrosion inside your tank. The only solution is to replace the tank.

However, it could be due to a failing anode rod, so before replacing the tank, flush it and replace the anode rod to see if this resolves the issue.

7. Water Heater Tank Makes Noises

Water heaters may make noises for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is a buildup of scale in the tank and on the heating elements, which causes rumbling, popping, and banging noises as the water heats.

If this is the case, try draining and descaling the tank. To avoid this problem in the first place, you should completely flush the tank every few months. If the problem worsens, you may have to replace the tank entirely.

Water heaters and pipes can make noises due to normal expansion and contraction caused by heat. This is completely harmless, but it isn’t much you can do about the noise.

8. Water Heater Pilot Doesn’t Light

There are several reasons why your pilot light may malfunction.

If it doesn’t light in the first place, it could be because the pilot light orifice or tube is blocked – or it could simply need to be replaced. A loose or faulty thermocouple is another possibility. You could also have air in the gas line or a faulty gas valve.

Identify The Problem Early

Often, the most important thing you can do is identify the issue early and take corrective action. Ignoring the problem will only worsen and will most likely cost you more money in the long run. And with this guide, you should have a good idea of where to begin your search.

If you want plumbers in Melbourne, you can visit our website or call us at 1300777877!