Hot Water Heater Problems: Helpful Information!

As well we know, now there are two popular fuel types for water heating appliances that are electricity and gas! The fuel type also influence on how to troubleshoot the problems of the unit! Do you think your hot water heater cannot work optimally! Well, let’s discuss more about the common hot water heater problems right here! There are some factors that can influence the performance your unit. But the maintenance and age of the unit itself usually have big role to influence the unit work properly and efficiently or not in long time use!

There are some common problems of hot water heaters such as the poor performance of thermostat, pilot light that cannot work properly anymore, the flue that gets blockage problem, and so on! The changes of the temperature while the unit is running can be used as indicator to determine good or poor performance of the unit. If the unit heats the water too hot, it is simple problem that can be resolved not too difficultly. In this case, you can check the performance of thermostat and make sure it works properly. You can try to adjust or reset it for the practically solution. If you think the thermostat is not able to work properly anymore then it is the right time to consider buying or replacing with the new one. On other hand if you feel the unit work not too powerfully (not constantly hot when heating the water) then there are several causes but mostly also due to the poor performance of thermostat! Below are some hot water heat problems:

How to diagnostic a hot water heater (especially one that uses gas as source power) if it is not hot enough:

1. Like mentioned before, check the thermostat! Try to turn the hotter setting of thermostat and then analyze its performance as well. Take a look at the flame and make sure it ignites when you turning the thermostat dial. Let the flame ignites and after around an hour check the water’s temperature by using a thermometer. Put it into the cup and ensure there an amount of hot water flow into the cup (from a faucet) for around sixty seconds, and then read and check the temperature data from thermometer.
2. On other hand, if you find the burner doesn’t ignite then perhaps there is something wrong with the performance of the pilot light.

Then, if there are some indications such as the unfriendly or not normally boiling noise when the unit is working, and even you find an amount of excessively hot water come out from the faucets, then perhaps your hot water heater is too hot (or even could be overheating case). There are some factors that can lead to those problems and one of those factors is the poor performance or wrong installation of TP (temperature pressure) of relief valve!

“Too-hot” problem can lead to the dangerous problems! Below are DIY options that you can do:

1. First, shut down the unit completely and let the water inside of the unit is going to cool down.
2. Check the relief valve and make sure it is still in good condition. Or you can try to replace if to get the best result. Read the manufacture’s instruction first, if you wan to replace it.
3. Then after replacing the relief valve then try to turn on the unit, wait around sixty seconds and then analyze its performance. Well, if the unit still works too hot then better you contact a heating contractor in your local area for the further information!

Other common hot water heater problems are:

1. Leaks problem, it is too difficult for DIY solution. Some factors that can lead to the leaks problem are; condensation forms (usually it can be formed due the cold water that drips down), the failure of temperature-pressure relief valve because of the excess pressure (usually if user sets the unit to work too high in temperature), and the failure of heating element gasket (especially for electric hot water heater). Don’t forget to check the water pipes.
2. There is strange and unfriendly noise! Contracting and expanding drips and metal components are usually the obvious factors that can lead to this problem. The noise will get worse if there are also over hard water or other minerals that are accumulated inside of the tank. Therefore, it is so important to do the proper maintenance regularly. Be careful, (like written before) if you hear the noise is similar like boiling-process inside of the tank then this could be indicator of over-pressure or overheating.
3. The other frequently problem is bad smells or even water is discolored. There are two potential causes that can lead to these problems that are; the water source and the unit itself. In several cases, perhaps you will smell gas-odor around the unit. In this case you have to turn off the pilot light as soon as possible and don’t forget to close or stop the gas “shutoff valve” in order to prevent the fire accident. Contact a professional service to solve the problem safely! In addition, in many cases, the reaction between high-concentration water and the electrical anode of the unit is the main factor that can lead to the bad odor. And the discoloration in water usually could be caused by copper, iron or other minerals.

Other recommended posts: Buying electric wall heater, home heaters, & under floor heater Vs forced air!