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A water heater is a convenient appliance of modern life that most people would rather not do without. Most water heaters will run well with little maintenance and last for years. However, there are some common problems that may arise, necessitating water heater repairs. Here are a few issues to be aware of.

What Are the Most Common Water Heater Issues?

1. Discolored Water

The anode rod is in the tank to prevent rust. However, the presence of discolored water may mean that the sacrificial anode rod is faulty. If you have a glass-lined tank, dirty-looking water signals corrosion inside the tank. 

2. Not Enough Hot Water

This is probably the biggest issue affecting homeowners. Heaters run out of hot water when multiple appliances are in use or when extra guests arrive and stress the tank capacity. This may be fixed by turning up the tank’s thermometer setting, but it may also be the result of a bigger issue. Possible culprits include a damaged upper or lower heating element or dip tube as well as improperly installed plumbing lines.

3. No Hot Water

water-heater-repairIf the water heater isn’t creating any hot water, the issue may be damaged or faulty heating elements or a broken thermostat. Make sure the electrical fuse hasn’t been tripped first. However, if you eliminate this simple fix, you may need professional water heater repair to diagnose and fix the problem. For gas hot water heaters, the first place to check is the pilot light. If it’s not lit, you know the source of the problem. 

4. Odors

A sulfurous or rotten egg smell in the water heater system indicates that the tank of the water heater contains sediment and bacteria. As the bacteria die, they create odorous hydrogen gasses. You can remove the hydrogen sulfide within the water heater system by replacing a magnesium anode rod with an aluminum one. Check with the manufacturer warranty before replacing any parts.

5. Leaks

If you find water pooling or leaking around the tank, there could be the following issues:

  • Bad plumbing or pipe connections
  • Improperly installed heating element 
  • Excessive corrosion in the tank
  • Stuck or overheated T&P valve 

Address any leaks right away. Get a plumbing service to diagnose and deal with necessary water heater repairs.

 

If you need water heater repair, maintenance, or installation in the Dardanelle, AR, area, call Millard Plumbing & General Contractor. They have served Yell County with residential and commercial plumbing services for 30 years. Their respected, reliable, and licensed plumbing contractors offer 100% satisfaction for any job. Call (479) 229-1025 to request service or visit them online to see a full range of offerings.

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