Your water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home to keep you comfortable, and it is also an expensive piece of equipment. For this reason, water heater repair is usually the first choice over replacement when something goes wrong. To understand what’s happening to your water heater and whether it can be fixed, here are some of the most common water heater problems.

Why You Need Water Heater Repairs

1. No Heat

If your water heater simply isn’t doing its job, it may be because there’s an issue with the fuel or electrical supply. You may also have a broken heating element in the water heater. This problem needs to be diagnosed by a professional.

2. Rusty or Smelly Water

Over time, minerals and sediment collect inside the water heater tank, and they can color the water which comes out. Try flushing the tank and letting it refill with fresh water. If this doesn’t solve the problem, there is likely corrosion inside the tank, which unfortunately means you’ll need a new one.

3. Noises

If your water heater makes an occasional popping or banging sound, this is normal—it’s just the water bubbling or boiling in the tank. However, if you begin to hear these noises frequently or the tank tends to rattle, it’s likely the inside is corroded or damaged.

4. Leaks

A leak from near the top of the tank may be caused by the pressure relief valve doing its job to let water and steam escape. This is not usually a problem as long as the valve is working as intended. Leaking pipes and joints can also be repaired and are not a major issue. However, if the tank itself is leaking, once again, corrosion is the likely culprit and you’ll need a water heater replacement.

5. Too Long to Heat

If you don’t get enough hot water, or it takes too long to replace, the likely culprits are the heating element, which may have accumulated scale on its surface, or the thermostat. Check the thermostat settings first, then ask your plumber whether this part of the system is broken.

For water heater repairs and advice, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Chardon, OH. Providing 24-hour emergency service in Geauga County, their experienced technicians are happy to help diagnose and resolve everything from drain clogs to complex water heater problems. To schedule water heater repairs, call them today at (440) 286-6002 or get in touch online.