Signs of a Faulty Water Heater in Need of Attention

How to Tell if the Water Heater Is Failing and Needs Service

Homeowners rely on hot water heaters for many things in their households. If these units fail, property owners must schedule service or water heater repair to avoid losing hot water in their houses. This post will share some common signs homeowners should watch for, indicating water heater maintenance, repair, or replacement is needed beyond the most obvious symptoms like leaks or a lack of hot water.

High Utility Costs

A sign homeowners might not immediately attribute to a malfunctioning water heater in need of service is high utility bills. If a property owner’s utility bills are increasing, it signals inefficiency, which can be caused by the water heater malfunctioning, being old, or needing maintenance. 

Not only can a water heater lose efficiency as it ages, which indicates replacement is needed, but there may also be an issue that needs repair or inefficiency from maintenance being skipped. During water heater maintenance, several things are done to keep the water heater operating efficiently, including draining and flushing the water heater to remove sediments and minerals. 

Strange Sounds

Another symptom of a faulty water heater in need of professional attention is if it starts to make strange noises. These sounds can indicate several issues, which may require repair, replacement, or maintenance. Noises that can signal problems with the water heater can include:  

• Banging: A bang, or a water hammer, can indicate too much pressure in the water heater. This sound can also be due to a buildup of sediment.
• Whistling: Whistling sounds coming from the system can be caused by water pressure passing through a small space in the unit. 
• Popping: Popping noises can indicate a buildup of sediment in the tank.
• Crackling or hissing: These are typically heard in electric water heaters and occur when the heating element has too much sediment, which can obstruct it.
• Ticking: This can be caused by changes in water pressure in the water heater tank. 
• Humming or vibrating: Loose fixtures, valves, or heating elements can cause humming or vibrating sounds. 

The Hot Water Has an Unusual Color or Smell

If people in a household notice odd odors from the hot water, like a metallic smell, or there is discolored water coming from their plumbing fixtures when the hot water is on, like a brown or rusty tint, it can indicate their water heater needs to be replaced. Failing to replace the water heater’s anode rod when needed during maintenance can cause corrosion to occur sooner.

These signs can indicate corrosion in the water heater, which can lead to leaks and other problems for the water heater. When the water heater is corroded, it often requires a water heater replacement to be done. If homeowners notice any signs of a faulty water heater, they should call a plumber to inspect and fix it. 

About Guardian Plumbing and Drain

Guardian Plumbing and Drain is a local company serving the Cobourg area. They provide fast, on-time arrival, upfront pricing, and same-day service. Call them for water heater repair and installation services in Cobourg, ON. 

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