Taking cold showers and washing dishes in cold water can quickly escalate from an annoyance to a potential health hazard, so repairing or replacing a malfunctioning water heater promptly is necessary. 1-800-Plumber +Air is one of the Long Island area's premiere plumbing experts, and we are always here to provide routine maintenance and emergency repairs or replacements to keep your water heater functioning at its best. Here are some of the most important reasons your water heater may stop working, as well as what to look for if it is no longer getting water as hot or heating it as efficiently as it once did.
Common Water Heater Problems
Not all water heater issues look alike, so it may not always be obvious that a problem you are experiencing can be traced to a faulty water heater. While not heating water properly is the most common and straightforward type of water heater problem, other potential issues that may be linked to your water heater include:
- Foul-smelling water
- Limescale buildup inside your pipes and water heater
- A leaking water heater
- Water is too hot and cannot be cooled to a reasonable level, which is likely the result of an incorrect setting
Signs You Need a New Water Heater
Knowing what to look for is key to addressing a water heater problem early instead of allowing it to evolve into a much more significant issue. While it is not unheard of for a water heater to stop working with no warning, especially in an older home, it is much more common for subtle signs to build up over time before it reaches a critical lack of functionality. Some of the most common signs that your water heater is likely nearing the end of its life include:
- Water with a metallic taste, smell, or appearance, especially if it leaves rust stains or visible rusty water in your sink
- Lukewarm or cold water that must be left running for an unreasonable amount of time to reach a moderately warm temperature or will not get hot or warm at all
- Water leaks or pools around the base of your water heater, which may indicate a problem with your water heater's insulation
- Your water heater already needs frequent repairs or is more than fifteen years old
Water Heater Repair Services
Our knowledgeable team can provide a wide range of ongoing maintenance services to help keep your water heater and the rest of your plumbing system functioning its best for as long as possible, as well as make any needed repairs if something goes wrong. Some of our most common water heater repair services include:
- Sealing leaks
- Replacing your water heater's thermostat to improve its ability to properly regulate water temperature
- Flushing sediment buildup to keep the inside of your water heater and pipes as clean as possible and prevent blockages or other water flow issues
Water Heater Replacement Services
Minor repairs can solve many water heater issues, but replacing your entire water heater is likely to be a more effective option for many major or ongoing malfunctions. With a typical lifespan of 10-15 years, most older water heaters are no longer capable of reaching their original functionality. We will begin by shutting off your gas and water and draining the water from your tank to keep the water heater replacement process safe and avoid major leaks or flooding. We will then cut the original water lines and remove pipes as needed to free your old water heater and reconnect them to secure your new one. We always test your new water heater before leaving to make sure that it works properly and is free of signs of leaks or other concerns.
