Oftentimes, you’ll notice performance issues with your water heater before it goes out. In some cases, you may need emergency repair from your Houston residential plumber for your water heater. Other times, it’s simply time to replace your water heater. When you notice issues with the hot water in your home, you’ll need to take care of it as soon as possible. You may be able to troubleshoot the issue before calling your Houston residential plumber. Here are a few things to check for on your gas or electric water heater.
Gas Water Heaters
Gas water heaters use a pilot light to turn on a burner that heats your water. Many different components could be to blame for water heater issues, but many of them are also quite simple to fix.
Relighting the Pilot Light
One of the first things you should check for on your gas water heater is whether your pilot light is on. Sometimes, you just need to relight your pilot light. Taking this simple step can help you determine if you need help from your Houston residential plumber for water heater problems. If you’re not sure how to relight the pilot light, your water heater instruction manual will have step-by-step instructions.
Adjust the Thermostat
Additionally, if you notice that you aren’t getting enough hot water or that your water is too hot, you should check your water heater’s thermostat. The thermostat controls how hot the water in the tank gets. Most people turn the thermostat up during the winter to account for cooler air around their pipes. Also, you should turn it down in the summer when the ambient temperature is warmer. Often, you’ll notice that water isn’t warm enough or too warm because you simply forgot to adjust it during the season change Try turning the thermostat up if you notice you don’t have enough hot water. By contrast, turn it down if your water is too hot. However, if this doesn’t help, you may need Houston water heater repair for your thermostat or other components.
Call Your Houston Residential Plumber About a Faulty Gas Valve
If you notice that your pilot light won’t stay lit or won’t re-light, you may have a faulty gas valve. This gas valve controls the flow of gas to the pilot light and burner on your water heater. However, if this valve is faulty or broken, then your water heater may not be getting enough gas to keep operating. In these cases, it’s best to have your Houston residential plumber look at the gas lines and determine if your gas valve needs replacing. When working with gas plumbing, it’s best to leave it to the professionals so you don’t end up with a dangerous gas leak.
Clogged Burner Orifice
Also, if your burner won’t stay lit or you notice it suddenly takes a lot longer for your water to reheat, it may be a problem with the burner orifice. This component of your water heater is where the gas enters the burner. However, these orifices often use very small holes, which can become clogged or dirty over time. Therefore, you may need to clean this orifice to get your water heater working again.
Your Houston Residential Plumber May Need to Replace Your Thermocouple
A faulty thermocouple can cause many different problems for your water heater. The thermocouple is a sensor that detects when the pilot light is on. If it doesn’t sense that the pilot light is on, it doesn’t turn on the gas. Therefore, if you have no hot water or have issues with the pilot light or burner, you may need a replacement thermocouple.
Electric Water Heaters
While gas water heaters use a pilot light and burner to heat water, electric water heaters use electricity to control heating elements inside the tank. There are several reasons you may notice problems with an electric water heater.
Check the Circuit Breaker
If you’re not getting any hot water, you should check the circuit breaker switch to your water heater. Sometimes, the breaker will trip and turn off the electricity to your water heater. You can easily fix this by switching it back into the “on” position. If this isn’t the case, however, Houston residential may need to diagnose your water heater problem.
Call Your Houston Residential Plumber about Loose or Faulty Water Heater Wiring
If the circuit breaker is on for your water heater and you’re not getting enough hot water or no hot water at all, you may have a problem with the wiring. For example, they could be loose, damaged, or faulty. This can not only cause issues for your water heater but could cause electrical issues in your home. It’s best to have this looked at as soon as possible by a qualified professional.
Heating Element Problems
Heating elements can also cause issues with your hot water supply. Generally, you will have a couple of heating elements in your water heater. If you notice that your water isn’t hot enough, such as a constant supply of lukewarm water, one of them may have failed. If you have no hot water at all, it could be that all your water heater elements are faulty. Finally, if you notice that it suddenly takes longer for your water heater to reheat water, then there could be sediment buildup on the elements.
Call Your Houston Residential Plumber About Water Heater Leaks
Generally, any time you notice your water heater leaking, you should call your Houston residential plumber. This will help you avoid costly water damage. Leaks can be caused by many different issues, such as a cracked tank. Issues with your water heater tank often require Houston water heater repair or replacement.
For example, sediment buildup or corrosion inside your water heater tank is often irreparable. A common sign of sediment buildup is that your water heater makes abnormal noises. It may hiss, bang, pop, or make other sounds that it doesn’t typically make. Rust-colored water is usually a sign of tank corrosion. These issues both mean it’s likely time to replace your water heater. Your Houston residential plumber can help you identify the cause of water heater issues and help you determine the best course of action for your home.
At Santhoff Plumbing Company, we are a leading Houston plumbing company We have over 46 years of experience helping homeowners install, repair, or replace their plumbing systems. Our experts are committed to your safety and satisfaction, whether you’re having a plumbing crisis or a small leak. Call us today at (713) 360-2185 to schedule an appointment or request emergency service. We are here to serve you!