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Waking up with no hot water is one of the worst things you can have happen to you, especially if you’re trying to take a shower on a cold winter morning before work. Unfortunately, there are a lot of problems that can leave your home with no hot water. Fortunately, a water heater repair expert can get your water heater fixed up and provide hot water to your home in no time. If you’re wondering why you don’t have any hot water when you turn a faucet on in the morning, here are some repair basics.
How Long Do Water Heaters Last?
The first thing you need to consider when it comes to your water heater is the fact that it’s not designed to last forever. As hard as you might try to keep your water heater in good shape, there will come a time when you have to call a water heater repair expert to fix it.
At the very most, you can expect your water heater to last about 10 to 15 years. While your water heater might last a little longer if you keep up with maintenance, it might not last nearly that long if you have a problem with hard water or you don’t take care of it. However, a water heater that’s nearing the 15-year mark should be replaced no matter what’s wrong with it as it will improve efficiency and solve the problem for a long time.
Heating Element Problems
As far as a lack of hot water goes, the most likely thing that’s causing problems in your water heater is a bad heating element. The good news about a heating element problem is that you can have a water heater repairexpert get it fixed up and get your hot water back on in no time at all.
There are two heating elements in your water heater: the lower heating element and the upper heating element. The water that’s heated by the lower heating element rises up to the top of the tank and the resulting cooler water at the bottom is then heated. Because of this, you’re much likely to need water heater repair for a lower heating element than you are for an upper heating element.
If you suddenly lose hot water to your Brandon, FL, home and there are no other problems, there’s a good chance you’ve got a problem with the heating elements in your water heater. A plumber can take a look at your water heater and figure out what’s going on, which includes helping you decide whether or not you want to invest in water heater repairs or simply replace your water heater.
Thermostat Problems
Your water heater has two thermostats on it that measure the temperature of the water to make sure it’s right. If your water isn’t hot enough, it could lead to the growth of bacteria in your water lines and eventual health problems. If your water is too hot, it could leave you with a wide range of burns.
If you’ve tried checking the temperature that’s set on your water heater and everything seems to be right, you might have a thermostat problem. A water heater repair company can help you determine whether or not you’ve got a problem with a thermostat, a heating element or something else. If your problem is as simple as a bad thermostat, you can get it replaced in a short amount of time without spending too much money.
Fuel Problems
If your water heater runs on gas or propane, there’s a chance that you could be lacking hot water because of a problem with the fuel supply to your water heater. If you do have a gas or propane water heater, it’s important to have a water heater repairexpert take a look at it to make sure you’re not putting yourself in danger. Since many gases are toxic and highly flammable, you don’t want to deal with them on your own.
Sometimes, a fuel problem with a water heater is as simple as a bad pilot light or something like that. While there are steps you can take to diagnose these problems, it’s best to leave it up to the experts. The good news is, a water heater repair company can get your gas or propane water heater fixed up in no time at all.
Corrosion
Every water heater is designed with a sacrificial anode rod inside that’s designed to absorb the majority of the corrosion that comes from the minerals in the water in your water heater. Over time, this sacrificial anode rod tends to wear down and eventually becomes worse at absorbing corrosion. Given enough time, you may find that your water heater tank is corroding a lot more than it should.
The truth is, water heater tanks corrode over time. Even with a sacrificial anode rod, the tank is still going to be damaged with time. When your water heater tank gets too corroded, it may leak or bust open. While this might not seem like a huge problem, the only real way to solve it is to have a professional replace your water heater.
The Simple Route
As unfortunate as it is to wake up with no hot water in your Brandon, FL, home, hiring a good plumber can get rid of that problem in a hurry. If your water heater hasn’t been replaced in a decade or two, chances are it’s time for a new water heater anyway.
Whether you’re looking for water heater repair or replacement services, you can count on the folks at Drain Flo Plumbing to do quality work every time. Not only can we fix your water heater, we can recommend and install a high-quality replacement unit. If you’ve got a problem with your water heater, give Drain Flo Plumbing a call at 727-474-4178.
