Problems That Can Affect A Hot Water Heater And The Repairs And Preventative Measures That Help
There's never a good time to run out of hot water, but it's a major inconvenience not to have hot water for a shower when it's cold outside. A cold shower might be invigorating in the summer, but it is generally uncomfortable in the winter. Here are some things that might go wrong with a water heater and some things you can do to keep yours working properly.
Common Water Heater Malfunctions
Trouble with your water heater can cause water that's too cold or too hot, no hot water at all, and water that takes a long time to heat up. A rusty water heater can even cause your water to have debris or discoloration. The problem might be due to a bad heating element, a corroded tank, a bad anode rod, clogging due to rust and scale, or power source malfunctions.
Also, keep in mind that problems with your plumbing in general and even the showerhead can affect the quality of your shower. Your plumber has to pinpoint the source of the problem, and they may need to do pipe repairs rather than repair your water heater depending on what's wrong with your system.
Plumbing Repairs You May Need
You can't go without hot water for long or with a shower that has low water pressure, so call a plumber to get things back to normal. The plumber might need to flush out the water heater to get rid of debris and rust. It might be necessary to replace the anode rod or heating element. There could be a problem with the temperature setting that needs repairs. While these parts are being examined and repaired, your plumber may also check that there are no leaks and that the tank isn't rusting and in danger of leaking soon.
Also, the plumber may check the pressure relief valve to ensure the safety mechanism is working properly. In addition, the plumber might check for leaks in the plumbing line, rust and corrosion in the supply pipe, and the settings on the pressure regulator valve that affects water pressure.
Maintenance That Helps Prevent Problems
One thing you can do to ensure you have a strong shower stream is to soak the showerhead in vinegar periodically to unclog the holes in the head. Mineral scale builds up in the showerhead, and this is often the main cause of low pressure in showers. You might also talk to your plumber about the need for a water softener. If your property has hard water, the mineral buildup can harm your pipes and hot water heater over time. A water softener can prevent this from happening.
In addition, you may want to flush your water heater out regularly. Talk to your plumber about if this is necessary and if this is something you feel comfortable doing. Flushing the tank washes away buildup so that you can get rid of it before it interferes with your showers.
To learn more, contact a residential plumbing contractor.
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