The average water heater lasts about 15 years, and it may last longer if it has good maintenance. That means being serviced by a professional who can find a problem and do some troubleshooting before that problem gets out of hand.
Indeed, if a problem is allowed to persist, it can severely shorten the life of your water heater and even damage your home. No one wants to come home to a basement that’s been flooded because the water heater ruptured due to a buildup of sediment. Some of the problems that can be avoided or at least postponed with proper maintenance include:
- Leaking tank
- Loud noises
- No or inadequate hot water
- Water that is too hot
- Buildup of sediment or bacteria
Problems the Pros Should Handle
A leaking tank needs to be seen to by a professional right away. There can be a lot of reasons why your hot water heater tank leaks, and they range from pressure building up to rust and corrosion to a drain valve that’s not working the way it should. Only a professional can tell you what’s wrong, and they’ll either fix the problem or recommend that you get a new hot water heater.
Ideally, your hot water heater should be nearly silent. Loud noises, such as pops, are often the result of too much sediment banging around in the tank or a buildup of limescale. The heating element can also actually be burning the sediment, and this can eventually cause the heating element to fail.
Sometimes the cause of no hot water is as simple as no power getting to the water heater or the thermostat being set too low. If the water is too hot, the thermostat has been set too high. You can go to your electrical box and switch on the power or change your thermostat, but if the problem persists, then it’s time to call for a professional.
A buildup of sediment might cause strange noises in the tank, but a buildup of bacteria can lead to discolored water or water that smells like rotten eggs. Flushing the tank as part of regular troubleshooting by a plumber can avoid this, but if the problem has gone too far without being addressed, it might be time to get another water heater.
Call Steve Beaton Plumbing for Water Heater Service
Found near the southern border of the Shasta Trinity National Forest, home to the Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding, California is a town of stunning beauty. Regular maintenance by our plumbers can keep the hot water heaters of its residents in good shape for well over a decade. On the other hand, if the water heater is showing signs of trouble, don’t hesitate to call us for fast, reliable, and prompt service.