Your hot water heater may be trying to tell you something. Here are a few signs of common hot water heater problems.
-
No Hot Water
If you have no hot water it’s definitely a sign that something needs attention, however it’s often a simple repair. For electric hot water tanks the element may need to be tested or replaced, you may need to have the thermostat adjusted. On gas hot water tanks, the pilot light should be inspected to ensure it is working properly or the thermocouple may need to be replaced. However, if the pilot light turns off each time it’s lit, the unit has a faulty pilot control valve.
-
Rust Colored Water
Rust colored water coming out of your faucets occurs if the anode rod becomes faulty. This rod is necessary because it dissolves and stops rust from generating in the tank. Whenever the anode rod fails to operate, rust will display in the tank, and the rod will need to be replaced.
-
Foul Odors
Some problems may not affect how a unit operates but if you notice a foul rotten egg odor coming from your hot water supply, it’s often due to bacteria growth. A water heater contains hydrogen gas, and the bacteria feeds on this gas. Preventing this problem is tough because the anode rod generates a steady supply of hydrogen gas through normal operation.
-
Odd Noises
Hearing odd noises from your gas fired hot water heater could be the symptom of many issues. The most likely issue is sediment settling at the bottom of the tank and getting burned by the heating element. Another reason you may hear odd noises is the heating element itself is starting to burn out.
-
Water Leakage
A leaky hot water tank is a definite sign that the water heater is past its prime. These leaks could cause significant water damage in the home, so it is best to replace it with a new, energy efficient hot water tank immediately.