The water heater is designed to provide hot water for your home. When there is an issue with this appliance, you will have little to no hot water. This can be extremely inconvenient, especially if the appliance is broken for several days. People rely on hot water for bathing, cleaning, laundry, and much more. There are several factors that may cause a water heater to stop working. Some of them can be fixed with troubleshooting, but some of them may require a professional to excess the situation. Learn more about water heater issues in this guide and how to solve them.
Element
A water heater has one or two heating elements depending on the size. If you have a limited amount of hot water, it is likely the lower element that is bad. If you have zero hot water, the top element needs to be replaced. To replace a heating element, you need to have a special wrench and access to the water heater. Always shut off the electricity and water before you work on the appliance.
Sediment
Sediment build-up is common inside water heaters. When there is too much sediment, it interferes with the appliance's ability to provide hot water. To lower the risk of this happening, you need to regularly clean the tank and keep it sediment free. You should also have a water softener to combat hard water, which is a common factor in sediment build-up.
Thermostat
Every hot water heater has a thermostat on it. If the water isn't hot enough for your liking, you can adjust the temperature to a higher number. Be careful adjusting it too high if you have small children who have not mastered temperature control for water yet. If you adjust the thermostat and do not notice a difference, there is probably an issue with the thermostat and it should be repaired by a professional.
Age
Another common reason that hot water heaters malfunction is the age of the appliance. The life expectancy is an average of ten years. Even with a strict maintenance plan, you will run into issues once the life expectancy has passed. You may need to get a new appliance.
Conclusion
If you have any problems with your hot water and you can't determine what is causing it, you should contact a local residential plumbing service. The plumber can diagnose the issue and figure out if it can be repaired or if you need a replacement.
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