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When winter rolls around in one of the best things you can do is make sure your water heater is in good shape. Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners don’t keep up with water heater repairs and maintenance, which means they end up with a malfunctioning water heater when hot water matters most. If you want to keep an eye out for problems with your water heater that you need to get fixed before winter rolls around, here are some of the most common problems.
Heating Elements
If your water heater simply isn’t providing hot water for your home, chances are you’ve got a problem with a heating element. When it comes to water heater repairs, heating element problems are some of the most common. The good news is, it’s not too difficult to have a heating element in your water heater replaced.
Generally, the lower heating element in your water heater is going to be the first one to give out. After the lower heating element heats the water in your tank, that water rises to the top of the tank. At this point, the upper heating element doesn’t have a whole lot of work to do. If you have to invest money to have a water heater repair expert replace a heating element, it’s almost always going to be the bottom one.
Sacrificial Anode
Another thing you have to keep in mind when it comes to your water heater is corrosion. The more corroded your water heater gets, the more likely the tank is to develop holes and eventually leak. The only thing that protects your water heater from corroding at a rapid pace is the sacrificial anode, which takes on the majority of the corrosion to protect your water heater as a whole.
The problem with sacrificial anode rods is that they tend to wear down as they protect your water heater. Most people don’t think about having a water heater repair company replace their sacrificial anode, but it can greatly extend the life of a water heater. This is an especially important part of water heater maintenance if you live in an area with hard water.
If you want to reduce the load on your sacrificial anode and keep your water heater in better shape, you should make sure you’re having it flushed every once in a while. When sediment builds up in the bottom of your water heater, it can cause problems that lead to expensive repairs. Having your water heater flushed once a year keeps sediment out and helps save you money.
Thermostat
If you’re having trouble getting the hot water in your Brandon, FL, home to the right temperature, it could be that you have a bad thermostat. The thermostat in your water heater measures the water temperature to ensure it’s heated to the right point, so a bad thermostat can leave you with water that’s too hot or too cold. Fortunately, a water heater repair expert can figure out if you’ve got a bad thermostat and get it replaced in a fairly short period of time.
One common sign of a thermostat problem is water that’s heated, just not to the right temperature. While there are times that a bad thermostat will leave you with no hot water at all, thermostat problems often simply result in incorrect temperatures. The good news about replacing a thermostat is that it’s not going to take long or cost you a lot of money.
Tank Problems
While there are a few different parts that a water heater repair company can replace in your water heater, those aren’t always the culprits. Whether you’ve got a bad sacrificial anode or you have particularly hard water in your home, there’s a chance you’re going to end up with a corroded water heater tank that eventually ends up with holes. As far as water heater problems go, this is one of the worst.
Water heater tank problems are usually a result of the water heater itself being too old, which means a tank leak is a problem that can’t be fixed sometimes. If you notice rust spots or holes in the side of your water heater tank, it’s time to consider investing in a new water heater rather than patching up the leak and hoping for another couple months of use.
When To Replace Your Water Heater
While there are a lot of options when it comes to water heater repair, there comes a time when it’s simply not worth fixing your water heater anymore. If you have a major water heater problem or one that can’t be fixed, you need to start considering investing in a new water heater instead of paying for repairs.
Water heater leaks that are a result of a hole in the tank are an instant candidate for water heater replacement. While you can patch some tank leaks, those patches don’t last long and you’ll end up with a corroded, leaking water heater in the near future.
You also need to consider the age of your water heater. Water heaters are only made to last about 10 to 12 years, which means your water heater may already be past its estimated life expectancy. If you’ve got a water heater that’s more than a decade old, have an expert look at it and get it fixed.
Get Some Help
The last thing you want is to have water heater problems during the winter, which is why you should take care of water heater repairs during the low-demand seasons. If you’re looking for a little help taking care of the water heater in your Brandon, FL, home, the experts at Drain Flo Plumbing can help. To learn more about water heater repair or schedule an appointment, give us a call at 727-474-4004 today.
