Not too long ago we discussed several hot water tank problems you may encounter. Although there usually don’t happen too often, when they do, it’s important for you to take action right away. There are some hot water tank issues that are less common but still capable of causing you great distress and frustration. To minimize the chances of these less common problems occurring, you should have your hot water tank inspected for service at least once every season. Some of these problems can be detected and corrected before they occur.
Makes Noise
Water heater noises can occur for many reasons. They can indicate a blocked fan, issues with the burner, abnormal gas combustion, and gas levels. A popping noise can also occur when there are too much sediment and mineral build up inside of the tank. This is more likely to happen if you have hard water.
When sediment and mineral deposits build up inside of a water tank, they don’t just sit and cause some random noises. The water heats up in the unit, mineral and sediment deposits separate from the water and remains as scale inside. Many people don’t have a problem with their water tanks being a little noisy. However, the sounds can become louder. Also, sediment and mineral build can significantly reduce your water tanks life expectancy and performance. In other words, you’ll need to replace it much sooner than necessary.
Leaks Water
Leaks often result in the replacement of the tank. The causes of leaks can be troublesome for many people to discern without hiring a professional plumber. Leaks are usually something that is best left for the professionals to repair. Tanks can leak from the top, bottom and any areas where there are loose fittings. Leaks can also indicate that the unit has rusted out and needs to be replaced.
No matter how old your hot water tank is or what you think the source of any leaks is, don’t procrastinate on a replacement if it’s needed. If you do, you could end up with a flooded basement or room and water damage.
Broken Thermostat
If you notice that your water temperature seems to fluctuate between too hot, cold and warm, you may have a faulty thermostat on your hands. Many people don’t really notice there’s an issue until they’ve managed to scald themselves a few times or had trouble getting a hot shower or bath when they were pressed for time. Even if the water seems like it’s the right temperature most of the time, you should never ignore a potential thermostat issue. It will only get worse and can result in severe injury in the form of burns and extreme discomfort.
You may be able to check the thermostat by looking at it to see what temperatures it’s reading at different times of the day. You may even want to document those temperatures to see if there is a pattern. A word of extreme caution!!! Be very careful when checking the thermostat on your hot water tank. It may be very hot!!
Smelly Water
If you happen to notice an odorous stench while you’re using the water in the sink or running a bath, there may be a bacterial infection in your tank. You can usually tell if that’s the case if you only smell it every time you turn a faucet on. Bacterial infections can occur when the anode rod becomes contaminated. It can also when bacteria and fungi grow in the water. This type of contamination is very dangerous and can cause you and your family to become sick. To avoid this problem, it is imperative for you to drain and flush your hot water tank at least twice a year. If you are currently experiencing this type of situation, you need to hire a plumber right away.
Keep in mind that other issues that can plague a hot water tank. Too many to list here. Whenever you have a problem with your home’s water and plumbing, no matter how small or large it may seem, you can always count on Steve Mull Plumbing to correct it.
