Whether you’re getting ready for school or work on a cold morning or simply want a nice, relaxing bath after a tiring day, having hot water in your bathroom is essential. However, most homeowners often don’t think much about their hot water systems until it suddenly stops working.
Water heater issues can present themselves in various ways. But regardless of how minor the water heater issue may be, it can still cause inconvenience. That said, ensure to look for a reliable plumber like Dan’s Plumbing or any service provider within your locality to help you address the concern. And as a good start, you can take a look at the Dan’s Plumbing listing to know more about how they helped their clients with their plumbing and water heater problems.
Furthermore, this article shares the common issues you may encounter with your hot water system.
- Water Temperature Issues
This is probably the most common issue you’ll encounter with hot water systems. In general, you’ll experience at least three types of water temperature problems:
- Water Is Not Hot Enough
Depending on your preference, you may feel that the water in your fixtures may not be hot enough. Typically, this may be caused by an undersized water heater. Whether you have guests coming over or you’re using more hot water than usual, your water heater system may not be able to accommodate the extra demand.
Getting warm water may also be caused by a faulty heating element or thermostat, as well as a crossed hot and cold water connection.
- Water Is Too Hot
When water is too hot, it is often caused by a too-high thermostat setting. This is an easy fix since you only need to adjust the thermostat temperature. Generally, experts recommend a setting of 120°F for a good balance of heat and energy efficiency.
- No Hot Water
This is the most frustrating issue of the three. After all, nothing is more annoying than being jolted awake with cold water in the shower, especially during a chilly morning. In general, cold water can be caused by a lack of power, a faulty heating element, or a thermostat. If the culprit is a tripped circuit, you may be able to resolve this issue by resetting your water heater. However, there may be a case wherein you may need to replace a faulty component of your hot water system.
- Discolored Water
It can be a bit worrying to find your shower or faucets producing unclear or discolored water. But in case you experience gritty or muddy hot water, then it could be a sign of tank corrosion.
In most cases, this can be caused by a worn down or rusting sacrificial anode rod or the component helping keep the water inside the tank in a specific chemical condition to prevent corrosion. Hence, replacing this component should help solve the issue. Then, doing a system flush can ensure clean and clear water.
Although depending on the condition of your hot water system, it’s recommended to get the opinion of a professional water heater technician on whether it’d be more practical to replace the anode rod or the entire water system unit.
- Hot Water Smells Funny
Another common issue you may encounter with your hot water system is foul or strange smells or tastes. For instance, some people may experience a metallic taste, while others may encounter a ‘rotten egg’ odor.
The taste or smell of metal may come from metal fittings, pipes, or tanks of your plumbing, which is particularly common in old plumbing systems. Meanwhile, water that smells like rotten eggs or sulfur may originate inside your hot water system and could be caused by the interaction between the anode rod and anaerobic bacteria in the water. Cleaning the hot water tank and replacing the anode rod can help resolve this issue.
However, a more serious cause of the rotten egg smell is a gas leak. If your hot water is using gas lines for heating and your water starts to smell like rotten eggs, then it could be a sign that your gas lines are leaking and needs to be addressed immediately. Seek professional help right away to have your systems checked and repaired.
- Water Leaks
Water leaks are also among the common issues you may encounter on your hot water system. Even if all you notice is a small puddle or a damp spot on the floor, it can be an indication that your hot water tank is leaking.
Water leaks may occur because of a lack of maintenance, sediment build-up, or simply due to old age and the deterioration of your tank over time. If the hot water system is leaking around the seams, you should consider replacing the tank. Meanwhile, if the temperature or pressure relief valve is leaking, it may indicate a defective valve or dangerous pressure or temperature developing inside your tank. That said, if you have older systems, you may consider replacing them with newer and more efficient water heaters.
Regardless of the case, as soon as you experience leaks in your hot water system, don’t ignore the problem and seek prompt attention from an experienced plumber to resolve the issue.
Takeaway
A broken water heater can be inconvenient, especially during the winter season. Nothing is more annoying than being jolted awake when cold water hits you or as worrying when you notice something funny about the water or the system itself. By understanding the common issues that can plague hot water systems like the ones mentioned above, you’re better equipped to resolve the problem and enjoy warm water throughout your home.
