Signs Your Water Heater Needs Help
May 14, 2024
Your water heater often sits out of sight and out of mind. However, it will display noticeable signs when attention is needed. Over time, several factors can affect the function of your water heater, causing it to lose efficiency and suffer a decline in overall performance. Spotting the signs that your water heater needs repairs means preventing further damage that could ultimately require its replacement. If your water heater’s performance has dropped, it’s time to call your water heater repair service in Detroit to assess the cause of the problem you’re experiencing and solve it.
Your Hot Water Is Slow
All water heaters take some time to deliver hot water when you open the tap. However, an increase in the amount of time it takes to get hot water generally indicates a problem with your water heater’s heating elements, which may need to be repaired or replaced. Even if you’ve always had to wait a while for hot water, if you get the general feeling that you’ve been waiting longer than you remember, it’s a good idea to call in your plumber to inspect your water heater for factors that could be affecting its ability to heat and deliver hot water in a timely fashion.
Your Hot Water Isn’t Hot
There are several factors that can affect the heat of the water you receive from your tap, and your water heater’s state of repair is chief among them. If your hot water simply isn’t getting as hot as it once did, even when you first turn it on, this is a sign that there is a problem in your water heater’s heating system that needs repair. Tank water heaters with two heating elements typically have one element located at the top of the tank and one at the bottom. Water that never gets hot indicates that the top element needs repairs, while water that is hot initially but doesn’t last is usually a sign that the lower heating element is failing.
Your Hot Water Is Rusty
Rusty or dirty water is a sign of sediment buildup inside your plumbing system. If all your water—both hot and cold—is rusty, corrosion in your plumbing pipes is typically to blame. However, if you only notice rust or dirt in your hot water, it’s a sign of mineral buildup inside your water heater. This issue always needs prompt repairs, as continued buildup can lead to corrosion of the tank, which requires you to replace the entire water heater once it has begun leaking. Scheduling water heater repair as soon as you notice rust in your hot water is the best way to prolong the lifetime of your water heater and enjoy clean hot water once more.
Prompt water heater repair will improve your daily life and reduce the risk of water heater failure. If you need water heater repair in Detroit, MI, you can reach an experienced plumber on our website to schedule an appointment. We also invite you to scroll through our monthly blog, where you’ll find more general plumbing and HVAC tips to help you keep your home in top shape.