Water Heater Repair Provo is a complicated process that involves working with gas lines. These issues require professional attention to ensure your safety and minimize risks.
Rumbling, popping noises or discolored water indicate a problem with the heating elements or thermostat. A professional inspection helps determine whether or not repair is the best option.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that their water heaters make unusual noises. It’s important to understand the different sounds a water heater makes so that you can determine whether or not the noise is normal and when it might be time to call for professional water heater repair.
Rumbling and gurgling noises indicate that sediment has built up inside the tank. This may cause the water heater to work harder than it should, leading to a shortened lifespan and more frequent breakdowns. This type of problem is preventable with regular flushing and draining of the water heater. Additionally, installing a water softener is an excellent way to reduce sediment build-up in your home.
Crackling sounds are most commonly heard in electric water heaters and suggest that condensation droplets are vaporizing. This is a relatively common issue and shouldn’t be a cause for alarm. However, if the sound persists, it’s worth calling for a plumber to inspect the unit.
Sizzling sounds can also signal a problem with the water heater. This usually occurs when the hot exterior of the water heater is touching metal pipes and creating a sizzle. This is a sign that the water heater needs to be flushed and drained.
Hissing noises from an electric water heater are often caused when sediment covers the bottom heating element. This can be fixed by flushing the water heater or by installing a new anode rod, which helps reduce mineral deposits in the water.
Screeching sounds are another sign that water flow is restricted. This can occur when the valve letting water into the water heater isn’t open all the way or when there is a restriction in one of the valves connecting to the water heater. This can be corrected by adjusting or replacing the valves.
Banging and knocking noises can be caused by a number of things. Sometimes, these noises are simply a result of mineral deposits shifting around in the water tank. In other cases, the noise is caused by water crashing into shutoff valves too quickly. A professional can help with this issue by flushing the water heater or replacing the temperature and pressure valve.
Unusual Smells
The odors that can come from your water heater may be unpleasant or toxic, depending on their source. Musty smells suggest bacterial contamination, while chemical odors could indicate a problem with your water treatment system. Odors resembling burning plastic or rubber indicate that the electrical components of your water heater are in danger of failing, and you should contact a professional as soon as possible to avoid further damage.
Rotten egg odors occur when sulfate-reducing bacteria in your water tank combine with a corroded sacrificial anode rod to produce hydrogen sulfide gas. This foul odor is more likely to happen if your water heater runs at a low temperature or remains dormant for long periods of time. If your water is supplied by a municipal well or treated plant, you’ll most likely not experience this issue because these facilities routinely test and chlorinate their supplies.
You can help prevent rotten egg smells by flushing your water heater regularly and draining it to remove sediment from the tank. You can also avoid the problem by replacing your sacrificial anode rod every three years or so.
Smelling of chlorine or bleach can indicate that a chemical spill or leak has affected your water supply. This can be dangerous for you and your family if the chemicals are harmful, so it’s important to immediately call a plumber.
Water with an earthy taste often indicates the presence of iron bacteria, which can form when bacteria in the water meet oxygen. These bacteria feed on iron in your home’s water and leave behind a slimy residue that gives off an earthy smell when they die. This problem is more common with private wells than municipal ones, but it can still happen if your water isn’t adequately filtered and treated.
If you smell a burning wire or plastic, turn off your electric water heater and shut off the power. A loose or faulty wiring in your water heater can “short” to other electrical components, causing the wires to generate heat and melt the insulative covers that protect them. To prevent this, have a professional inspect your water heater and replace any faulty or damaged elements as needed.
Discolored Water
If the water coming out of your taps is rusty brown, it can be a big deal. Discolored water can cause a wide variety of health and plumbing problems that should be addressed immediately. If the rust-colored water only affects your hot water tap, it’s likely caused by corrosion within your tank. This is a common problem with older water heaters that are starting to wear out.
If your entire household is experiencing discolored water, it may be due to a disturbance in the municipal water supply. This could be caused by a temporary water main break, seasonal hydrant flushing, or other activities performed by your local water company. Check with your neighbors to see if their water is also discolored, and call your water company to find out what’s going on.
Rusty water can also be a sign that there is a bacteria growth somewhere in your plumbing system. Typically, this is caused by iron-reducing bacteria that can grow in the water heater tank or water supply pipes. The resulting rusty water can be very unappetizing and may even make your food and drinks taste metallic.
Another cause of rusty water is sediment and minerals that have built up in your plumbing lines over time. If your home is using a well, this can be more of a problem than if you’re getting your water from a municipal water supply. Regular maintenance can help keep these deposits from building up.
Discolored water can also be a result of mineral deposits in your hot water tank. These can build up if you don’t flush your water heater regularly. A plumber can drain and flush your tank to remove these deposits and restore the color of your hot water.
Lack of Hot Water
When you turn on the faucet and get a blast of cold water instead of warm or hot water, it’s usually because something’s wrong with your water heater. It could be that there are loose connections, that it needs to be re-pressurized, or that it is simply too old and it’s time for a replacement.
However, before you call in a professional plumber to take care of the issue, there are a few things you can do yourself to troubleshoot the problem and prevent it from getting worse until your plumber can arrive. Start by turning off the power to your water heater, either gas or electric. This can be done by turning off the main breaker or by closing the gas valve. You should also open a hot water tap somewhere in your home to relieve pressure and allow air to escape from the tank.
Next, look for any signs of leaks around your water heater. You may be able to tell just by looking at the exterior of the unit or you might need to use a multimeter to check for continuity or resistance on the heating elements, which will show if they are defective. Scale and calc build up on the heating elements can make them ineffective at warming the water. If you see any damage or rust to the heating element, it will need to be replaced.
Lastly, you should check the dip tube to make sure that it is functioning properly. The dip tube is a small pipe that transfers cool water from the top of your water heater back down to the bottom, where it can be reheated by the lower element. If the dip tube is worn out, it will cause the cooler water to mix with the hot water, reducing the overall temperature. A new dip tube is a relatively inexpensive part to replace.
Finally, if you’re still not getting any hot water, it may be because your pilot light has gone out. This is another fairly simple thing to fix, but it requires turning off the power again, opening a hot water tap in your home to release pressure, and then connecting a garden hose to the water heater’s drain valve, turning on the valve, and draining the tank completely.