Water Heaters in Portland OR: Crucial Failure Signs
Lack of Hot Water
Lukewarm water when you shower is more than just a mild inconvenience. It is a critical warning sign that your water heater is failing and needs to be inspected. Similarly, if it takes a long time to get hot water to come out of the tap, you may lack enough hot water.
When water is heated, water minerals separate and settle at the bottom of the storage tank. After a time, these sediments create a barrier between the water in your tank and the burner beneath. This starts with water taking longer to heat up and ends with a costly leak.
Have your water tank flushed annually. If you live in an area with hard water, invest in a water conditioner to keep water appliances running properly. An easy way to tell that you have hard water is if you find spots on dishes, flatware, and glasses, even after running them through the dishwasher.
Popping or Rumbling Noises
Another common sign of water heater failure is popping, creaking or rumbling noises coming from your water heater. If you hear any of these noises, call We Do It Plumbing. You need the sediments that have built up in the bottom of your tank flushed out.
If the noise continues after your tank is flushed, you will probably soon experience a crack or leak. Have your tank replaced before it leaks as this will get very expensive very quickly when the water causes damage to floors and walls.
Cloudy Water
If hot water coming out of your tap looks murky, smells funny or has a metallic taste, your water heater is probably failing. Sometimes, the mineral deposits at the bottom of your tank flow out of the heater. They do not just smell and taste bad. They can clog faucets and reduce the flow of water. If the discoloration is orange or red, you have rust in either the pipes in your home or your water heater tank.
You can put a band-aid on the problem of murky water by filtering your water. However, once rust affects your pipes or tank, the only thing you can do is replace them. These should be replaced before corrosion leads to an expensive leak.
Water Tank Leak
Cracks and fractures are most often caused by corrosion. These cracks and fractures cause leaks. If you find water pooling beneath your tank, use the water shut-off valve to turn off your water supply and call a professional immediately. This will prevent your basement or whole home from being flooded.
If the leak is coming from the TPR (temperature and pressure relief) valve, there may be an excessive pressure buildup within the tank or it may indicate overheating. Call a professional plumber immediately to make sure your tank does not overheat. Luckily, you will probably only need to replace the valve element.
If the leak is coming from the tank, the inner lining of the tank has probably corroded from age, neglect or sediment buildup and you will need to replace the entire water heater tank. This is the perfect opportunity to get a more energy efficient heater with an excellent warranty.
Contact We Do It Plumbing Today
To learn more about water heaters in Portland OR, call us today. We have 25 years of experience using preventative maintenance to keep you out of the cold. But if you are ready to upgrade your water heater, we can help you with that, too. To learn exactly how we can help you, visit our services page.