You need hot water for many of your daily activities, such as washing dishes, doing laundry, and showering. Your water heater provides you with that hot water, and when it malfunctions, you’ll be inconvenienced. To avoid having to take a cold shower, refer to this guide about common water heater problems and how to fix them.

No Hot Water

If your water heater is electric, check to see if you have tripped a circuit breaker. If you do, simply reset the circuit, and your water heater will resume proper function. If your water heater is gas, make sure the pilot light is on. The water heater won’t work if it’s off. You’ll need to relight it. If neither of these is the problem, your heating element may be faulty. We’ll need to repair or replace it for you.

A Foul Odor

A foul odor coming from your hot water could indicate a problem within the water heater’s tank. Make sure the odor is only coming from your hot water by running the cold water. If it doesn’t smell the same, you’ll know the problem lies within the water heater.

That odor comes from a buildup of bacteria in the water heater. To remove it, we’ll need to flush your tank. To avoid experiencing this problem again, have the water heater flushed annually.

Your Water Is Too Cold or Too Hot

First, you have to make sure your water isn’t too hot or too cold due to an incorrect setting. The factory-set temperature for a water heater is usually 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This may not be your desired temperature. If your water feels too cold, turn the temperature up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. After one hour, see if the water feels more comfortable.

If your water is too hot, turn the temperature down. See if the water becomes more comfortable as you use it. If turning the temperature up and down doesn’t make a difference, your water heater could have a broken heating element or a malfunctioning thermostat.

Water Heater Leaks

Leaks are caused by several issues. This includes the following:

• Sediment buildup
• A failed pressure valve
• An old anode rod
• A loose drain valve
• Loose connections
• A small expansion tank

We can inspect your water heater and determine which of these problems it has.

These are only a few of the many possible issues you may be experiencing. If you’re a resident of Asheville, NC, and you need professional water heater repair services, call NCPD Service today.