Common Causes of Water Heater Repairs and How to Avoid Them
Posted in Hot Water Heater Repairs , on August 14, 2024
Although your water heater may go unnoticed and unappreciated, it is definitely one of the most important plumbing elements in your home. When your water heater is not working properly, it is a major inconvenience. You will no longer be able to access warm water for bathing, cleaning, cooking, or drinking. Water heater damage is very common, but knowing the common causes of water heater issues can help you avoid them. A water heater is a rather simple apparatus. It is comprised only of a tank, pump, heating element, and usually one thermostat display. If one of these things is damaged, you will likely need to repair your water heater. The major causes of water heater repairs are sediment build-up, corrosion, electrical issues, or faulty heating elements. Knowing what causes these issues can help you avoid a water heater replacement. If you do run into water heater issues, contact Broward Plumbing for a plumber in Fort Lauderdale. We conduct plumbing services, including water heater repair in Fort Lauderdale. Contact us today to book a service!
Sediment Buildup
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Sediment buildup is one of the most common causes of water heater failure and often is the root cause of many water heater issues. Sediment buildup refers to minerals like calcium and magnesium and/or other floating particles in your water, hardening and building on the inner surface of your water heater. This creates a hard calcified layer over the metal. When you have sediment buildup on your water heater, it can prevent water from heating up efficiently as it blocks the heat flow. This can cause your system to work even harder to produce hot water. This then results in an increased risk of your heating elements fusing.
This issue is caused by the naturally occurring minerals in the water. When these particles sink to the bottom of your tank, they can get stuck. This is also caused by improper water heater maintenance.
In order to avoid a buildup of sediment in your water heater, you should flush it regularly. It is standard practice to flush your water heater tank at least twice a year. To flush your tank, you need to:
- Turn off your heater, let it cool, and attach a garden hose to your heater.
- Turn on some faucets in your house to create pressure
- Put the other end of the hose in a tub, sink, or outside and begin flushing out the water
- Once it's all gone, you’ll need to refill your tank with cold water and flush it out again.
- This second time, you’ll notice that the water will be cloudy or grey.
- Once the water heater runs clear, you have successfully drained your tank of sediment.
If you struggle with flushing your tank or don’t want to risk completing this task yourself, you can get regular plumbing maintenance done to
Corrosion
Corrosion of your water heater tank can also result in a time-consuming and expensive repair or even replacement. When your water heater tank corrodes, it means that the metal of your tank has slowly deteriorated to the point where it may be thin or non-existent. This can cause your water heater to leak, which will not only impact the flow of warm water in your house but can also cause water damage to the surrounding area.
Corrosion of your water heater is often caused by sediment buildup, as it can be damaging to metal. Dissolved oxygen in your water heater tank can also cause corrosion and rust. If you inspect your water and see rust, this means that your water heater tank is corroding. If you notice this, call in an expert plumber at Broward Plumbing to resolve the issue. One of the only ways to prevent this from happening is by periodically checking in on your water heater in order to catch any signs of rust early. Doing so should help you catch corrosion issues before they cause a leak. As mentioned before, drain your water heater regularly to minimize sediment buildup.
Old Age
The older your water heater, the more likely it is to fail or become damaged. Water heaters have decreased efficiency as time goes on, so the longer you’ve had yours, the more prone it will be to issues. Heating elements and thermostats can naturally wear down with age and use. The older your heater, the more mineral buildup there is as well. When mineral buildup accumulates on your water heater’s heating element, it needs to work much harder. The more energy that is required to heat up your water heater, the higher the chance of burnout.
In order to prevent your water heater from deteriorating due to old age, get an inspection done. Expert plumbers will be able to tell you if your heating element has suffered too much damage due to its age. Depending on how old your heater is, the experts can simply replace your heating element. But in some cases, it is best to get a whole new water heater. This is normally a worthwhile investment if you have an old heater, as it will ensure that you do not have to suffer from water heater issues again for a long period of time. Especially with regular maintenance,
Avoid Water Heater Damage
Overall, being aware of the state of your water heater can help you avoid any significant damage and repairs. The most common causes of water heater failure and damage is due to sediment build-up, corrosion, or an old heater. However, regularly draining your water heater tank and inspecting your water heater can help you avoid damage and/or catch issues early. If you struggle with water heater maintenance or are not sure whether it is working properly, contact an expert plumber in Fort Lauderdale. At Broward Plumbing, we offer water heater repair to ensure that your water heater is always in proper working condition. Contact us today to book a service!