Water heaters are typically out of sight and out of mind. You might not realize how much you depend on them until they stop working or they start to have problems. 

With the most common issues coming from gas and electric tank water heaters, there are many things that could arise to create a problem with efficiency. Keep reading to learn how to spot the signs of water heater problems. 

How Long Does a Water Heater Last?

Water heaters are not created to last forever, but keeping them well maintained and fixing any problems as they arise can help them continue to operate for their full lifespan. 

On average, an electric water heater lasts about 10 to 15 years. For a gas water heater, a typical lifespan is between 8 and 12 years. 

Most Common Issues with Water Heaters

Here are some of the most common problems that homeowners face with their water heaters.

No Hot Water

When an electric water heater fails to produce hot water, it could be caused by a variety of factors. A broken heating element could cause the malfunction. If your heater is still not working after replacing the heating element, the unit may be damaged.

Another reason for a lack of hot water could be the power supply. If the circuit breaker has been tripped, you will need to flip the switch to get power back to it. You can also check the water heater reset button.

For gas water heaters, the pilot light might have gone out. When troubleshooting a gas water heater, if a burner will not stay lit, there could be a problem with the gas supply or a broken pilot light.

Lastly, if the thermostat—which the water heater relies on to determine the temperature of the water—has broken, your heater will not work properly.

Rusty Colored Water

Water should come out clear from your taps, but sometimes, you might find that it has a rusted red color to it. This can seem alarming when you first turn on the water, but fortunately, repairing the problem is usually straightforward for a qualified plumber. 

Inside each water heater is an anode rod. Draining the system and replacing the rod should do the trick. 

If it is not the anode rod, the other possibility is corrosion inside of the tank itself. Once the inside of a tank water heater has corroded, it has served its time and should be replaced right away.

Not Enough Hot Water

Who doesn’t love to come home from a long day to take a hot shower? If you have multiple people using the hot water, it could run out before the heater has time to produce more. 

If you have a tank water heater, it could be too small for the number of people in the home or lack the amount of hot water necessary to run appliances like a washing machine or dishwasher.

A simple solution for this is to replace the tank with a tankless water heater, which provides an endless amount of hot water. You can also upgrade to a larger tank model.

Scalding-Hot Water

Little kids love to play in the bath, but this could be dangerous if the water gets scalding hot. On the water tank is a thermometer gauge where you can set the maximum temperature for your unit. The recommended setting is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Leaks

Leaks are a common problem in plumbing, but there are many reasons behind a water heater leaking. These can range from a corroded tank to loosened pipe connections. 

Foul-Smelling Water

No one wants to turn on the shower or sink to get clean only to smell a stinky odor coming from the faucet. 

Bacteria thrives in warm, dark places, so you can imagine how a corroded water heater tank would be the perfect place for bacteria to flourish. When a large amount of bacteria has grown in the tank, this can lead to a nasty smell coming out. 

One way to get rid of it is by flushing the water out and refilling the tank. Increasing the temperature on the thermometer of the tank to 140 degrees can help in getting rid of the bacteria, as well. Just be careful if young children will be using the hot water while the temperature is raised, as burns can happen quickly.

Solving Problems with Water Heaters

When you’re dealing with a water heater that isn’t working right, call the experienced plumbers at Paul The Plumber. Whether you need a simple repair, a system flush, an upgrade, or a full replacement, we can help!