Water Heater Repair

Some signs that your traditional water heater needs to be repaired are obvious. Water leaks, a lack of hot water, and even an electrical fire are all signs that you need to repair your water heater. There are other signs that can be too subtle to notice until it’s too late and the water heater needs to be replaced instead. While regular maintenace by a trained Johns technician can help catch big problems before they occur, it’s good to keep a few things in mind to help you decide when to call for repairs.

Age is just a number - or is it?

Do you know how old your water heater is? Traditional water heaters should be replaced about every 10 years. If it’s newer than that and you’re experiencing issues, don’t worry that the only solution will be a replacement. If you’re not sure when the heater was installed, check the unit for a serial number and use the manufacturer’s website to determine the year it was made.

Rusty or trusty?

Another inidcation that your water heater is in need of repair is rusty water coming out of your hot water faucets. While there may be rust in your plumbing pipes, that’s not nearly as common as an older water heater rusting away from the inside out. To check, drain your heater carefully with five-gallon buckets and if you’re still seeing rust in the water after the third bucket, you need to call a plumber for repairs.

(Not) getting yourself into hot water

There’s nothing worse that having no hot water at all, especially for a morning shower or bedtime bath. If there’s no hot water coming out of your faucets at all, check to make sure the breaker hasn’t tripped. If you have a gas water heater you’ll need to call a plumber with experience to check the burner and thermocoupling.

What's that noise?

Traditional water heaters will make some (quiet!) noises such as humming or ticking, and that’s normal. However, when your unit start knocking or rumbling loud enough to be noticeable, that may be an issue. It could be sediment that has collected and hardened at the bottom of the tank. While it’s a fairly easy repair, it’s one that is best left up to an experienced plumber.

Regular checks by Johns Plumbing's experienced plumbers can help reduce the need for repair. Give us a call at 336-294-2301 if you are experiencing leaks, rumbling, or a lack of hot water from your traditional hot water heater. It might be time for a fix!