Is It Time To Throw Your Old Water Heater Out? 

If you didn’t have your residential water heater, your life would be a little more difficult. You couldn’t shower or wash your clothes and dishes. Imagine having to manually heat water whenever you needed to do any of these things. This is where your water heater comes in handy. Remember that it is always working, so you can be sure you have hot water whenever you need it. Alas, when your water heater is working too hard, it can lead to problems that may require a professional. Because of this, our plumbing experts at Pickerington Plumbing & Drain will teach you how to spot common water heater issues and give you some simple solutions to these problems.  

Is Your Water Temperature Inconsistent?  

If your running water has an irregular temperature, you may be able to figure out the problem on your own. You could run into three types of water temperature complications: water is too cold, water is too hot, or water is not hot enough. Below we explain the likely causes and how to address them:  

● Water is too cold – If your home only has cold water, you could have a faulty heating element, defective thermostat, or a lack of power. You could try resetting any blown fuses or tripped breakers. Next, you may want to try checking the thermostat. Last, If you still don’t have any hot water, check that the unit is turned on.  

● Water is too hot – By recommendation of the US Department of Energy, 120 degrees is the perfect temperature for your water heater. This is the most energy-efficient temperature that gives you a substantial amount of hot water. If your water is too hot, check if the thermostat is at the proper temperature.  

● Water is not hot enough – If the water in your home seems to get warm but not necessarily hot, you should first check that the thermostat is set high enough. If the thermostat is at the correct temperature, you could have a faulty heating element, an undersized water heater, a defective thermostat, or crossed cold and hot connections. The best way to check for crossed links is to turn off the water supply and switch on a hot faucet. If the water from the hot tap still flows but is still cold, you could have a crossed connection. If that isn’t your problem, we suggest contacting your local experts to come to your home and fix your faulty unit.  

Do You Notice Leaks From Your Water Heater?  

Let’s be honest, leaks in your water heater are unavoidable and can happen for several reasons. Your leak could result from a stuck valve, improper water pressure, a bad gasket, faulty temperature or relief valve, loose heating element bolts, overheating, or a leak in the plumbing connection. If you think one of these may be your problem, you should check for loose plumbing connections and heating element bolts and tighten them accordingly. Finally, if a leak is still present after following these steps, we advise calling one of our professionals at Pickerington Plumbing & Drain to have them give your water heated a full examination.  

Is Your Faucet Water Discolored?  

If your water is running discolored, it may indicate that the inside of your water heater has rust. Often, a failing anode rod or an older water heater tank can cause this rusty color. We suggest seeking a local plumber for their expert opinion. Whether you need your anode rod replaced or a new water heater, our plumbing professionals are here for you!  

We understand that your water heater is very important to you. That’s why our plumbing experts at Pickerington Plumbing & Drain are prepared to help! Call us today at (614) 350-1955, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!  

Pickerington Plumbing & Drain

(614) 350-1955

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