One of the things that are often taken for granted at home is your hot water. It’s one system in the house that you never realise has an issue until you step in the shower only to find out there’s no hot water. If you encounter problems in your hot water system, don’t fret! These can be quickly addressed, especially if you catch them early. With that, here are the most common hot water issues to watch out for.
Common Hot Water Issues
Your water heater will show signs if there’s an issue with it. All you need is to be mindful. Here are the typical hot water issues you may encounter at home:
- Discolouration of water
- Water with mud and sediments in it
- Hearing strange crackling and popping noises from the heater
- Faulty pilot light
- Less hot water
- Fluctuating hot water temperature
- Low water pressure
- Metallic taste with a strange smell
There are many reasons behind these hot water issues. For one, it could be due to incorrect gas pressure settings. You should also check for filters and shower restrictors because they may be blocked as well. If there’s a problem with the flow of hot water, the filters may be blocked.
Power outages and faulty thermocouples may also cause hot water issues.
Hot Water System Maintenance
Proper maintenance of your hot water system is crucial if you want to avoid inconvenience and to ensure you always have hot water running. There are two things to consider for this:
- Sacrificial anode: This is a crucial component because it prevents the hot water tank from rusting. A sacrificial anode is a bunch of metal rods attached to the top of the storage tank. It sacrifices itself to prevent the tank from rusting, hence the name. It needs to be replaced every five years. However, only a professional should replace this because it’s a tricky job.
- Temperature & Pressure Release (TPR) valve: This component is responsible for maintaining pressure to prevent the system from exploding. It releases the necessary pressure. You can test your TPR by simply lifting it. Listen for water gurgling as water is released into the drain tube. If there’s an issue with the TPR valve, it can become blocked or leaky. Similar to the sacrificial anode, a professional’s replacement of the TPR valve must only be carried out.
Other ways to maintain your hot water system includes:
- Drain the tank: Make sure to drain the remaining water in the tank. Do this until clean water comes out of the hose. Ensure to stir up the sediment on the bottom of the tank by opening the cold-water supply valve. When done, refill the tank and turn it back on.
- Adjust the temperature: The temperature dial is usually on the side of the tank. Adjust it to 120 degrees. On the other hand, if you will be away for more than three days, you can shut down the water heater, or you can turn the thermostat down to its lowest setting.
Conclusion
Say goodbye to inconveniences and cold showers! When you know these common water heater issues, what you can do to address them, and how to maintain the system itself, you never have to worry anymore. Just make sure you hire a professional to take care of it for you.
For 24-hour plumbing service, trust Sunny Coast Plumbing and Gas! We can address your water heater needs and offer a free quote on any job—no strings attached!
