While most water heaters are generally reliable, sometimes, they can run into issues. Today we want to talk about the few things you can do if you have noticed issues that could mean you’re in need of water heater repair.
First Things First
The first thing you will want to do is to check the power supply of your water heater.
- If your water heater is electric, check the power at the breaker box. And if the power is on, you’ll want to turn off the circuit breaker or remove the fuse.
- If your water heater is not electric, turn the gas supply off. You can do this by turning the gas pilot valve to the “pilot” setting.
- Shut off the water supply to the heater if needed. You can do this by closing the shutoff valve. Please do not turn the water off unless you have already turned off the heater’s power and that the gas is turned off.
A Bit More on Gas Water Heaters
Roughly 95% of water heaters in our service area are natural gas. If you are not getting hot water, check other gas appliances such as the stove or furnace to see if gas service has been interrupted to your house. If the water heater pilot light is out, follow the Lighting instructions that are on the side of every heater.
Pay close attention to the gas safety warnings, a lot of them are common sense and if you follow the instructions, you’ll be fine. The pilot is difficult to see if it is lit or not look carefully in the top left-hand corner of the inch and a half square glass window. Yes……. you do have to stand on your head to see it. Shutting out the lights to the basement helps to see the pilot. If it does not light on several tries it is best to get a professional to see what is wrong.
Experience goes a long way in this situation.
Cold Shower?
If your water never reaches a point of warmth, your water heater is probably the culprit. Check the pilot valve, the thermocouple, and the gas control valve if you have a gas heater. If you have an electric heater, check the thermostats and other heating elements.
Starting Hot, But Turning Cold?
If your hot water tank is producing some hot water, but not enough, there are a few things that could be happening. Double-check the temperature setting of your water heater. Check the heating elements if you have an electric water heater. If those aren’t the reasons, you may be suffering from a damaged or disconnected dip tube. Or, there may be a sediment buildup in the tank. Check to see if the screen at the bottom of the tank is clean.
As a water heater gets older, its controls do not sense the water temperature as it did when it was new. The interior parts of the water heater, called the dip to and anode rod, deteriorate and cause problems. Controls and internal parts are not a “do it yourself” task. They should be checked and repaired by a professional because of the many scalding issues that can happen.
Looking for a Team with Water Heater Repair Experience?
If you have checked these parts of your water heater, but it still won’t function, you can always call on Proudfoot Plumbing, Heating, and Air. Our expert technicians will do a thorough inspection to accurately diagnose the problem. And then we’ll have the water heater repair or replacement done quickly and with as little intrusion into your daily life as humanly possible! That’s why we think you should choose us. Call us at 1-412-461-2198. We hope to see you soon; that is, only if you have a water heater issue!
