Common Repairs for a Gas or Electric Water Heater
  • water heater repair Red Oak

Whether you own a gas or electric hot water heater, you’re likely to experience trouble with it. It’s inevitable that you’ll need to call for a water heater repair in Red Oak at one point or another. To prepare yourself for that moment, learn more about the most common repairs for water heaters. 

Frequent Problems with Electric Heaters

Although electric water heaters are simple appliances, they’re prone to having problems. All of the following are potential issues with electric models:

Water Leaks from the Top

If you notice water leaking from the top of your heater, you could have a loose connection somewhere. There’s also a chance your pressure valve is no longer working, or that your inlet valve has a leak. Regardless of the cause, your problem is relatively easy to fix. Tightening things up or replacing the pressure valve could make the leak stop.

Water Leaks from the Bottom

At times, you can tell the leak is only from the bottom of the tank. Normal condensation may be the cause of this, and there’s nothing you need to do to fix it. But a significant amount of water is a sign of a leaking heating element gasket or excess pressure in your tank. If there’s too much pressure, the valve will release water into the drain pan. 

While those issues above are easy to fix, there’s another repair that’s not so simple. A rusted old tank often leaks water from the bottom. In this case, the only fix is to replace the tank. 

No More Hot Water

Only a few things are more upsetting than turning on your hot water heater and not getting hot water. If this happens to you, the most likely reason is a tripped circuit breaker. This also happens to be the easiest issue to fix because all you need to do is flip the breaker. 

When the breaker isn’t the issue, there could be a broken heating element. It’s either that or a busted limit/reset switch. To fix your hot water woes, you need to replace the broken part. 

Hot Water Runs Out

Although your hot water may turn on, it doesn’t always remain hot. If you continue to run out of hot water, your tank might not be large enough for your home. Tanks can be up to 80 gallons large. There might also be an issue with your thermostat or element. 

To determine the issue, you need to call one of the licensed plumbers in Red Oak. Unfortunately, the only way to fix a tank that’s too small is to replace it. 

Water is Too Hot or Cool

The thermostat on your water heater controls the temperature. And if your thermostat doesn’t work properly, your water won’t get as warm as you want it to be. You can manually adjust your thermostat to raise or lower the temperature of your water. 

If the temperature doesn’t correspond with your thermostat, it’s time to seek help. A thermostat repair isn’t a DIY fix. 

Water Heats Up Too Slowly

A traditional water heater doesn’t give you instantaneous hot water when the tank is empty. However, it shouldn’t take you ten minutes of running water to get warm water. If your water temperature isn’t rising, you could have an issue with your heating elements.

Hard water could be to blame for your lack of hot water. Over time, the minerals in the water accumulate in the bottom of the tank and make it harder for the tank to heat up. 

Rusty Water

Does your water look dirt or rust-colored? This is never a good sign, as it indicates corrosion somewhere in the system. The rust could be on the tank itself or on the anode rod.

If the anode rod has rust, you can easily replace it. But rust in the tank is a bigger issue that requires a tank replacement.

Frequent Issues with Gas Water Heaters

Gas water heaters are slightly more complex than electric heaters because they need to connect to a gas source. And while electricity is nothing to play with, gas can be even more dangerous. If you don’t have one of the licensed plumbers in Red Oak work on your gas heater, you could be in danger.

Because gas and electric heaters are very similar in design, they experience many of the same issues. The most common problems with electrical water heaters are identical to those of gas heaters, with a few exceptions.

Typically, the major difference is with heating element issues. On gas models, a flame fueled by gas heats up the tank. So, while flipping a breaker could make an electric tank start heating, there’s more to a gas tank.

Pilot Light Won’t Light

For instance, you could have a pilot lot that won’t light. If there’s no pilot light, there’s no way to heat your water. Some homeowners know how to light their pilot lights. You can try to do it yourself, but proceed with caution and follow the instructions on your water heater’s manual. 

If you can’t get the light to work, there could be a clog in your tube. Another possibility is a faulty thermocouple. In any case, you won’t have hot water until you resolve the gas problem.

Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

Although you might be able to light your pilot light, it could go out on a frequent basis. There are several potential causes of this, one of which is a broken thermocouple. The issue could be something as simple as a clogged vent that causes a draft. Without a steady supply of gas, your pilot can’t remain lit. 

The Importance of Water Heater Repair in Red Oak

When you experience a problem with your hot water heater, you need to act quickly. A home without hot water is an uncomfortable and unlivable home. It’s essential to call someone you trust to diagnose the issue.

Here at Combat Plumbing, you can rely on us for your water heater repair in Red Oak. Call us now to learn more about our services and to get your water heater back in commission.

2021-02-09T04:33:27+00:00

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