Troubleshooting Water Heater Issues

Before you call the repair professional, troubleshoot your water heater for the most common problems.hot tap image by pncphotos from Fotolia.com

Your home's water heater is a scientific wonder that works by converting energy to heat and then transferring that heat to water. Most water heaters store heated water in a tank. Although water heaters look fairly simple from the outside, they are actually quite complex. A series of valves, tubes and rods must all work together perfectly and when a problem arises in one, it can result in the worst problem associated with this appliance: no hot water.

Rumbling Noise

An uncommon rumbling noise emanating from your water heater could signal overheating. The overheating may be traced to the thermostat failing to inform burners or heating elements that it is time to shut off. Turn off the gas burner or electricity to check the pressure relief valve. If the water is too hot, call a plumber.

Some hot water heaters seem to work less efficiently at about the same time that kids turn into teenagers. A water heater holds only a certain amount of water at a time and so becomes less efficient once demand outstrips supply. The problem in this case may not be related to the appliance itself, but rather that a heavier load is being placed upon it. Keep a record of how often hot water is used in your home and you may find that you either need a larger unit or a decrease in the demand placed upon the current model.

No hot water could be a sign of a pilot light that has gone out in a gas-powered unit. Tending to this problem may require that you clean the burner or replace the thermocouple. If your water heater runs on electricity, you should also check to make sure the thermostat is working properly.

If the problem is that your water is not getting hot enough, first check to see that the thermostat is set high enough. You will usually not want the thermostat set below 120 degrees.

Take a look at your faucets throughout the house that draw hot water, including your garage. Make sure there there are no leaks anywhere in the house; leaking faucets could be draining away hot water and leaving little for use in the kitchen or shower.

Gas burners can be clogged just enough to allow some heat to get through, so you should also clean the burners regularly, even if the hot water hasn't completely disappeared. A faulty heating element in an electric hot water heater can cause a loss of hot water or minimal hot water.