Water Heater Repair: 5 Signs Your Water Heater Needs To Be Repaired | Harvey, LA
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Every appliance in your Harvey, LA home is designed to make your life more convenient. Some appliances are essential to your daily life, like your refrigerator and stove, while you can live without others. For example, if your washing machine breaks down, you can go to the laundromat. If your washing machine breaks down, you can do the dishes by hand. Although your water heater is an essential part of your plumbing system, it is technically considered an appliance and is another appliance you cannot live without.
Your water heater stores 50+ gallons of hot water, so it is there when you need it. If your water heater isn’t functioning correctly, you won’t be able to perform simple daily household tasks.
Because you rely so much on your water heater, it is essential that you can detect issues with the unit early before the problem can escalate to something more serious that will require a more expensive water heater repair or a water heater replacement.
If the water heater in your Harvey, LA home is experiencing any of the following issues, it is best to schedule an appointment for water heater repair right away.
#1 Moisture or Leaks Around the Unit
The area around your water heater should always be dry. If there is moisture or water pooling around the unit, you should immediately call a plumber specializing in water heater repair.
The issue could be minor, like a broken or disconnected hose, which is a relatively simple fix. However, water pooling around the unit signifies a leak, requiring an emergency water heater repair appointment. Allowing the problem to persist can result in 50+ gallons of water flooding your home, resulting in severe water damage and mold growth. Water damage this extensive can cost thousands of dollars to clean and repair; therefore, you should call a plumber specializing in water heater repair immediately.
#2 No Hot Water
The most obvious sign you need to schedule an appointment for a repair is if you turn on the hot water and it comes out cold. Before you call a plumber, you should check a few things first. The last thing you want is to waste your time on an unnecessary service call.
- Natural gas water heater: Check your records to ensure your gas bills have been paid. Next, check the gas company’s website to ensure there isn’t a widespread outage.
- Propane water heater: Make sure there is an adequate amount of propane in the tank.
- Oil-fueled water heater: Make sure there is an adequate amount of oil in the tank.
- Electric water heater: Make sure there is power going to the unit, and a circuit hasn’t tripped.
If everything checks out and you still have no hot water, it is time to call a plumber specializing in water heaters.
A few issues can cause this problem, such as a faulty heating element, an issue with the fuel source, or an electrical issue. If your water heater is over ten years old, it may have reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.
Because so many issues can cause this one problem, it is best to have a plumber specializing in water heater repair inspect the unit and make the necessary repair.
#3 The Water Isn’t Getting Hot Enough
If you allow the hot water to run and it doesn’t get hot enough, you may need to schedule an appointment or water heater repair. Before you make the call, check the temperature setting on the thermostat. It is recommended that you keep the thermostat set to 120 to 140 degrees to prevent scalding. If the thermostat is set well below 120 degrees, adjusting it will solve the problem. If the thermostat is set correctly, it is time to schedule an appointment with a water heater service.
Many water heaters have two heating elements. If one component fails, the other won’t be powerful enough to keep the water heated to the desired temperature. There could also be an issue with the thermostat, and you will need a plumber specializing in water heaters to determine the cause.
#4 You Frequently Run Out of Hot Water
The worst way to start the day is with a cold shower. If you run out of hot water often and cold showers are becoming more frequent, you should schedule an appointment for water heater repair.
The first thing the plumber will do is discuss your family’s hot water demand. If someone new moved into your home, or if you recently installed your first dishwasher or washing machine in your home, your hot water demand will increase, and your existing water heater may not be big enough. You will need to install a unit with a larger tank to meet your hot water demand, preventing you from running out of hot water.
If your family’s hot water demand hasn’t changed, the plumber will inspect the unit for sediment. When large amounts of sediment build-up at the bottom of the tank, there won’t be as much room for hot water storage, causing you to run out of hot water frequently. The plumber can determine if a repair is possible or if the unit needs to be replaced.
#5 Strange Sounds
The water heater in your Harvey, LA home should be whisper quiet. If it is making strange sounds, you should call a plumber specializing in water heaters. The sound the unit is making can help the plumber determine the cause.
- Banging: A banging sound signifies large pieces of sediment in the water tank that hits against the sides. If you wait too long to schedule an appointment for a repair, the sediment can crack the water tank, resulting in 50+ gallons of water flooding your home.
- Popping: A popping sound also signifies sediment in the tank. When water gets trapped beneath the sediment, it can start to boil, causing the popping sound.
A plumber specializing in water heaters and repairs can inspect the unit to determine if the sediment can be flushed out or if the problem is so severe that a replacement is the best option.
Why Choose bluefrog Plumbing & Drain of New Orleans, LA?
If you need to schedule an appointment for water heater repair, call bluefrog Plumbing & Drain of New Orleans. We are a full-service plumbing company and are a member of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC). We are also a New Orleans Chamber of Commerce member and have an A+rating with the Better Business Bureau.
We provide emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are here for you regardless of the time and day.
To schedule an appointment for water heater repair or any other plumbing service, give us a call today.