Your water heater is largely out of sight, out of mind. As long as you have hot water when you turn on the faucet, you probably don’t give this appliance much thought. But the last thing you want is for your water heater to break down and leave you without hot water.
You can keep reading to learn more about five signs to watch for that can indicate your water heater is having problems that could affect hot water output. Then give our team a call to schedule your Finger Lakes water heater repair.
Water Leaks
Despite the fact that it is a water appliance, your water heater should never leak. For it to operate at its best, your water heater needs to be completely airtight. If you have a leak, air is getting into your water heater, which could lead to corrosion of the inside lining.
Discoloration
If you have hot water with a rusty or orange tint to it, that’s a red flag that corrosion is already happening inside your water heater. When your water heater corrodes, rust develops and can transfer into the water and discolor it.
It is important to pay attention to whether discoloration is exclusive to hot water, or if it affects cold water as well. If only your hot water is discolored, the source is probably your water heater. If both hot and cold water are discolored, you might have a problem somewhere else in your plumbing system.
Bad Odors
Your hot water should never smell bad. If there is a rotten odor coming from your hot water, that’s a red flag that bacteria could be growing in your water heater. The most common reason for this is your water heater sitting unused for an extended period of time. This may happen if the power goes out during a storm or if you are away from home for weeks.
Unusual Sounds
Your water heater will not be completely silent as it operates to heat water and transfer it into your home. But over time, you should be able to identify what sounds are normal during operation. If you begin to hear unusual sounds, that’s a sign that you need to schedule a water heater repair appointment.
For example, if you hear a popping or knocking sound coming from your water heater, that can indicate mineral buildup. If you have hard water with high mineral content, those minerals can settle on the bottom of your water heater and move around when the heating element comes on, resulting in popping or knocking.
Low Water Pressure
This problem is similar to water discoloration. You want to consider whether you have low water pressure at any time or whether it is exclusive to your hot water. Low water pressure can also be exclusive to a certain sink or area of your home. If you notice low water pressure only when you turn on the hot water, there could be a blockage somewhere in or near your water heater.
Contact Potter Heating Cooling & Plumbing today to schedule your water heater services. Our team is here to help with all of your heating and air conditioning needs.