As a professional, we can agree that having a faulty water heater can be a pain. Your facility relies on your water heating system all year round.
With that, have you noticed the hot water quickly depleting or not producing any at all? If so, you are dealing with a faulty water heater.
Water heaters tend not to be much of a hassle when compared to other plumbing fixtures, but when a problem does occur, it can turn into a serious issue.
Signs like lack of hot water and lack of power are good examples that something is up.
Fortunately, Best Plumbing Specialties has compiled a list of five faulty water heater signs and solutions to help you tackle the culprit.
Let’s look at some signs and solutions to get you started:
1. Lack of Hot Water
If the water heater is not producing a high enough temperature, the first thing to check is the upper and lower heating elements, which expand water into the water tank.
Failure of these elements can be caused by issues with the power source. So, make sure to check the circuit breaker or fuse box. It may have just simply tripped or had a blown fuse.
If that does not work, you should test the heating elements at this point.
One or both heating elements may have failed to operate accordingly.
If so, you will need to replace these heating elements.
Whether you need a screw-in element or one with a universal flange, Best Plumbing Specialties has them in a variety of voltages.
2. Faulty Water Heater Leak
If you suspect a water leak, it can be either a loose or damaged in-line valve, a bad pressure relief valve, or a link in the tank itself.
With that, you might be confronted with a simple fix. On the other hand, there might be a bigger problem lurking.
Loose or Damaged In-line Valve
Start by checking to see if it is an actual water leak or just condensation. If it’s condensation no need to worry. The room temperature mixed with the heater temperature can cause this.
Now if there is a water leak at the top or bottom of the heater, this may be caused by a loose or damaged in-line valve.
It is recommended to first see if the valve is loose. If so, tightening the valve should resolve the water leak.
If the leak persists, the culprit is more than likely a faulty in-line valve.
At this point, your probable solution is to replace the in-line valves.
Bad Pressure Relief Valve
Another sign of a water leak is when the temperature and pressure relief valve or T&P is not working properly.
This valve helps relieve pressure inside the tank. And when this valve doesn’t work properly, the pressure in the tank increases.
Like the in-line valves, the T&P valve may be loose and requires tightening. Unfortunately, you will have to replace this valve if this part is faulty.
Just lower the tank pressure before swapping out the T&P valve.
3. Aged Water Heater Tank
Like many appliances, water heater tanks tend to wear out over time. It is considered to have an old tank after 15 years.
So, it should not be much of a surprise that the tank is not keeping the water warm, and leaks are occurring often.
Old age and rust can be major contributing factors in its demise, especially when rust starts forming in the tank.
Typically, rust occurs when there is an internal leak, which is difficult to spot.
And when one thing leads to another, rust starts then corrosion follows. This can lead to cracks in the tank.
Once this starts to occur the most reasonable solution is to replace it. While you are at it, reevaluate the replacement tank capacity or get an expansion tank.
Also, now might be the perfect time to think about switching to a tankless water heater system.
4. Discolored Sink Water
We can all agree that normal sink running water should come out clean.
But if you notice running discolored water this is an indicator that the anode rod in your water heater has been fully compromised and your tank is beginning to corrode.
It is recommended that anode rods be replaced every 3-5 years. Regularly replacing these will help extend the life of your water heater by not allowing corrosion on the inside of your tank.
Whether preventative or reactive, Best Plumbing Specialties has a flexible anode rod, which has a segmented design that allows for replacement in tight spaces and can be cut to fit short water heaters.
5. Water Is Too Hot
Lastly, another sign of a faulty water heater is the thermostat.
Think about it:
If the thermostat goes out in a single-heating element, you will experience no hot water. If goes out with a double-heating element the water heater will produce a limited amount of hot water.
Regardless, it is recommended to test the thermostat.
And if the water heater stops working altogether, this is a definite sign that the thermostat is faulty.
It is time to replace it.
Final thought
There are many variables as to why the water heater may not be working accordingly. Like many plumbing fixtures, the best practice is to regularly check them to avoid further damage or problems.
Plus, it may save you a pretty penny!
From commercial to government facilities, Best Plumbing Specialties can help with water heater parts and supplies.
For more information, contact a BPS sales rep.