It is never a good idea to ignore the signs indicating you need water heater repair & replacement. Minor problems that are not repaired often get worse and may lead to significant repairs. Even worse, what begins with water heater malfunctions can affect your walls, flooring, and more.
Reduced Water Pressure
Older pipes and tanks can become clogged with rust and corrosion. The first signs of trouble may be nothing more than discolored water coming out of the tap or reduced pressure. Ignoring this key indicator may lead to a complete loss of pressure at the tap or dangerous pressure behind the clog. Since your plumbing is only rated for a specific amount, excessive additional pressure has the potential to cause joints or the tank itself to spring a dangerous and damaging leak.
Variations in Water Temperature
There are a few causes for your water to stop heating properly. The heating element is the most common and least dangerous. The most dangerous cause is a bad thermostat on your water heater. And while this may first be noticeable as a loss of hot water, it can just as easily become jammed, allowing the water in the tank to heat far above what the tank is rated for. Although rare, a combination of a bad thermostat and a faulty pressure relief valve may even result in an explosion of boiling hot water.
Creaking and Banging
If your water heater or the pipes connected to it are making unusual noises such as tapping, knocking, or whistling your water heater is telling you that you need service right away. Loose pipes are perhaps the most benign source of tapping and knocking, and even that can become a major water leak at any time. Other sources of unusual noises include a faulty thermostat, worn valves, and over-pressured water. Call a home plumbing service to have the situation corrected as soon as possible.
Water Damage
Bad pipes and water heaters are only the beginning once the situation becomes critical. Water damage can affect everything from your floor joists to your ceilings, causing mold and mildew, turning gypsum to mush, and more. Water damage is expensive and may not be covered on all home insurance policies. On the other hand, having your water heater repaired promptly may be covered by a home warranty.
The key thing is that a faulty water heater is always an immediate concern because it can easily lead to far more dangerous and costly problems. If you have noticed any of these warning signs and haven’t called a home plumbing contractor, time is not on your side.
Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating
Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.