What Are Common Water Heater Problems?

A water heater is one of the most common appliances in American homes. This appliance works all year round, providing a hot water supply to your taps and appliances. Your water heater can serve for many years to come but not without some problems. The combination of water, heat, running parts, and constant use will cause normal wear and tear on the appliance.



Most of the resulting issues are relatively simple and are easily solvable by a professional repair service. However, if not detected early, even a small issue could worsen and cause extensive damage or failure of your water heater. Thus, you need to keep your appliance in check and quickly identify any issue. Also, have regular preventative maintenance for optimal performance and a longer lifespan.

Regardless of the type or model of water heater you have, these appliances tend to sustain almost similar issues. The following are the most common water heater problems you might come across.

Water Leaks

Water heater leaks are often serious, especially if they occur for a prolonged period. These leaks can cause water damage, destroying walls, floors, and personal belongings. Common areas where water leaks occur include the inlet and outlet pipes, tank, and drain valve.

Your water heater can leak due to a variety of reasons. Some common causes of water leaks include:

• An old tank
• Excess pressure
• A cracked storage tank
• A faulty gasket
• Overheating
• A faulty pressure relief valve

Regardless of your water heater leak cause, you'll need an immediate fix to prevent extensive damage and costly repairs. Once you identify any sign of water leaks, contact a professional repair service immediately.

No Hot Water

A water heater producing inadequate or no hot water can be very frustrating. Several possible reasons can explain why your water heater is not heating water.

For a quick fix, check if the appliance is plugged in. If yes, check if the circuit breaker is tripped and reset it. If these simple fixes don't resolve the problem, contact a professional water heater repair service to help.

Other causes of no hot water include:

• A faulty heating element
• A hot water demand that exceeds supply
• A faulty or improperly set thermostat

Depending on the root cause of your water heater problem, the expert will suggest the right fix. In some cases, such as when the hot water supply is insufficient, you may need to replace your water heater with a bigger one to solve the problem.

Odd Noises

Your water heater should run smoothly without producing strange noises. If you hear humming, cracking, gurgling, popping, ticking, tapping, or banging noises, the water heater often has a problem.

Each water heater sound signals a unique problem. For instance, popping noise results from the buildup of sediment and limescale in the tank. If you hear a high-pitched noise, it indicates the water doesn’t flow smoothly.

While some sounds are harmless, you'll need an expert to diagnose your water heater noise. The specialist will advise on the best solution for the noise, ranging from cleaning the tank to replacing the heater.

Discolored Water

If your cold water is clear, but hot water is brown or rusty, your water heater is the culprit. Discolored hot water can indicate tank corrosion, sediment accumulation, or an old water heater tank. In some instances, cleaning the tank to remove sediments or fixing the anode rod can help solve the problem. However, in case of severe corrosion or an old tank, the only solution could be to replace the water heater.

A properly functioning water heater is vital for a comfortable home. If you have any water heater issues, have the right professionals fix them. Contact Comfort Technology Heating & Air Conditioning for water heater repair, maintenance, or installation.