Can a Bad Water Heater Impact Your Home?
The water heater is one appliance nobody thinks about unless it stops working. Generally, water heaters are so dependable every day that they are easy to forget. But when they do go out, the activities necessary for daily life get a lot harder – cooking, bathing, cleaning, and laundry. They all require dependable hot water on demand.
The good news is that a water heater rarely breaks down suddenly. There are signs that repair or replacement will soon be necessary.
The Impact of a Bad Water Heater
- The water heater is more than 10 years old
- The hot water runs out too quickly
- The water isn’t hot enough
- The water temperature isn’t dependable – unpredictably hot, warm, or cold
- The pilot light or burner goes out frequently
- The burner flames are yellow or white instead of blue
- The water heater frequently makes loud noises
- The tank, fittings, or pipes leak
- The water is discolored or smells foul
- Fixtures, showerheads, and appliances have a mineral buildup
- The dishwasher leaves spots on glasses and dishes
If caught early enough, one can resolve most of these issues with a service call for repair. But eventually, the cost and constant inconvenience of repeated repairs will become untenable. At that point, total replacement becomes the better option.
Noisy Operation
One problem is when these minerals settle as sediment at the bottom of the tank. Continually heated and cooled, the sediment hardens into solid mineral deposits. When water/steam bubbles push past these deposits, it makes a rumbling or popping noise.
Possible remedies include having a professional plumber flush the water tank and install a water softener. But if those steps get put off too long, replacement becomes the only option.
Other tell-tale noises from a faulty water heater and their causes:
- Banging – Abrupt changes in water pressure; also known as water hammer
- High-pitched whistling or screeching – Restricted water flow
- Sizzling – Sediment buildup on the heating element of an electric water heater; sizzling sounds on a gas water heater indicate condensation or a small leak dripping onto a heating element
- Humming or vibrating – A loose heating element
Changes In Water Smell or Color
But a protective anode rod can eventually go bad when it has absorbed all the minerals and corrosion it can. At this point, the quality of the water is affected – the taste, appearance, and smell are all unpleasant.
The water’s odd taste and foul smell are due to elevated bacteria levels or higher sulfur content. The corroded rod and interior walls cause discoloration.
When an anode rod fails, it’s time for either a new rod or a new water heater.
Leaks Big and Small
A faulty water heater creates inconvenience, but a leaky one can cause thousands of dollars of damage to the home. A water tank leak is always a plumbing emergency, so homeowners should call a licensed professional plumber immediately to find and repair the source of the leak.
Small leaks due to loose connections, deteriorated gaskets, or failing valves are often relatively easy to fix, but one cannot repair major leaks from cracked or corroded water heaters.
About Drain Nerds
Serving the communities all around Fort Myers, Drain Nerds is the top plumbing company in Southwest Florida. Specializing in water heater service and emergency repairs, homeowners can trust them to handle even the toughest jobs. Contact them today for water heater service!
