Running Pipes, and More!

Your water heater is one of the most important things in your home. If it breaks down, you're going to need a plumber. That's why it's a good idea to be prepared for some common repair signs with a little advanced planning and know-how.

Here are 5 indications that your water heater needs repairs.

1. Leaking Water Heaters

Water heaters can spring leaks from many points: storage tanks, fittings, or heating elements. In some instances, these leaks may occur as the result of corrosion of the inner tank. In others, they could indicate a crack in the outer shell of the appliance due to extreme temperature changes or being bumped by an object. You need to call a professional plumber to repair the leaks and restore your heater.

2. Thermostat Malfunction

The thermostat may also fail to operate properly, reducing the amount of heat generated by your heater. If you find that your water takes too long to heat up or runs out quickly because it is heating constantly without reaching the desired temperature, this could be an indication that the thermostat needs to be replaced or repaired.

3. Gas Smell

If you notice a strong gas smell coming from your hot water tank, it can be a sign that there's a leak in one of its components. You should shut off the gas supply immediately and call a plumber ASAP. If they can't make it right away, ask them for a temporary solution in the meantime, so you don't have to go without hot water.

4. No Hot Water

If you have no hot water coming out of your faucets, first check that there isn't a household plumbing problem that is preventing the cold-water line from supplying hot water. Sometimes a bathroom vanity or kitchen sink may be turned on accidentally and drain away the hot supply without your knowledge. In this case, turn off all fixtures until you can investigate further. If there are no other apparent problems with your home's plumbing system, then your issue might be with the water heater itself.

5. Decreased Hot Water Output

If you start noticing a decrease in your unit's production of hot water then there could be a few different reasons for this problem: not enough pressure or flow entering the heater, incorrect valve setting inside the unit, faulty thermostat controls, or a loose heating element connection — all of these mean an increased chance of corrosion and leaks developing because internal components are wearing out.

In case you notice any of these signs, contact your local plumber today.