Your morning shower is not staying hot as long as it should? You are put off by odd sounds emanating from your water heater? Or perhaps you have come across some water at the foot of the tank and are at a loss to explain it.
We put homeowners in Western Kentucky right of these matters on a daily basis here at Star Plumbing & Mechanical. Pick up the phone at (270) 729-1961 and we will discuss the state of your water heater with you. We are a licensed, insured and veteran-owned plumbing firm out of Owensboro and we have the experience to know how exasperating such trouble can be.
A water heater puts in the work and has a way of breaking down when you least want it to. To put your mind at ease as to what to be on the lookout for, we have outlined a few of the problems we encounter most often.
No Hot Water at All
You will not miss this one. If none of your faucets are putting out hot water then the reason will vary with the unit.
In an electric model you are likely looking at a tripped breaker or a heating element that has given up. With gas it could be an interrupted supply or a pilot light that has died. A thermostat can be the problem too if it is not doing its job of telling the unit to heat. An older unit may have simply run its course. We would recommend a professional opinion either way.
Not Enough Hot Water
To be left with cold water in the middle of a shower is a frequent grievance. It can be due to any number of things:
- The capacity is being encroached on by sediment in the tank
- Your household has outgrown the size of the heater
- Cold water is being let into the hot supply by a broken dip tube
- An electric unit with a bad heating element
- A thermostat that is set low
The mineral content in Western Kentucky’s water will eventually make itself known in the form of sediment in the tank, robbing you of the hot water you are accustomed to.
Strange Noises From the Tank
If you are hearing the tank pop, rumble or crackle, sediment is generally the cause. Water trapped under a hardening layer of minerals at the bottom of the tank will make a racket when heated.
Beyond being bothersome, it makes the water heater labour more, with a hit to your energy bill and the longevity of the appliance to show for it. A plumber can flush it out and tell you if there are still years in the tank or if it is time to put in a new one.
Discolored or Smelly Water
Hot water that is cloudy, brown or rusty is indicative of a failing anode rod or corrosion within the tank. The anode rod is there to draw the corrosion away from the tank but when it is worn out the tank will rust. Bacteria coming in contact with the anode rod is what gives your hot water a rotten egg odour. And once the rust has begun to eat through the tank there is no real remedy but to replace it.
Leaks Around the Water Heater
Do not ignore water at the base of the heater; a minor leak has a habit of becoming a major one.
While a faulty pressure relief valve or a loose fitting can be put right, a leak in the tank body is a sure sign of corrosion and you will need a replacement. In the event of standing water, turn off the gas or power and get a plumber on the line.
When to Call in a Pro
There is no guessing game with some issues but others involve electrical, water pressure and gas lines where a licensed plumber is called for. Do it wrong and you risk voiding your warranty and safety.
Our team is familiar with the water conditions and homes of Western Kentucky, southern Indiana and Illinois. From Owensboro to Hopkinsville, Madisonville and Henderson, and communities like Boonville, Tell City and Rockport in Indiana, we are there to help.
Let us get your hot water back in order before the heater fails you altogether. Contact Star Plumbing & Mechanical at (270) 729-1961 to put in for an estimate, which is on us. We are open 7:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Friday.