Your water heater is a vital part of your home. You depend on it for everyday tasks such as showering, washing dishes and laundry. But when your water heater begins to fail, it may be time to consider replacement.
If you are noticing puddles around your water heater, this could mean that it is leaking. This needs to be addressed immediately. Contact Denver Water Heater Repair for professional help.
A reliable water heater provides your home with the hot water you need for showers, dishes, laundry, and other daily tasks. Like all appliances, water heaters occasionally experience issues that call for repair. However, many of these issues can be resolved without the need to replace your water heater. Our Water Heater Repair guide provides you with tips to recognize common problems, troubleshoot them, and perform water heater repairs yourself. We also help you navigate the pros and cons of repairing versus replacing your water heater when that decision comes up.
If you notice a lower flow rate from your water heater, there could be sediment buildup on the bottom of the tank. You can flush the tank, following its manufacturer instructions, to get rid of the sediment and restore a healthy flow rate.
The thermostat is a critical component of your heating and cooling system, always working to keep your home’s temperature at its set point (also known as a “setback”). It does this by using the principles of thermal expansion and contraction. Traditional thermostats use two pieces of different metal bolted together to form what’s called a bimetallic strip. This strip acts as an electrical circuit’s bridge. When the thermostat senses heat, one of the metals expands more than the other, and the strip bends slightly. This creates a current that switches the heating system on or off. The other metal contract, and the current stops.
In a similar fashion, the thermostat on your water heater works on the same principle to control its operation. When the thermostat senses heat, it turns your water heater on or off to maintain a desired temperature.
If you can’t relight your gas water heater’s pilot light, it could be due to a faulty thermocouple. This is an easy fix and only requires the purchase of a new thermocouple, which can usually be found at your local hardware store. Once replaced, relight the pilot and test your water heater to make sure it’s functioning correctly. This final step brings closure to your DIY water heater repair and ensures that the work you did is complete and safe.
Anode Rod
The anode rod is one of the most vital water heater parts. It is a secondary method of protecting the steel tank from corrosion. The sacrificial anode is made from less noble metals than the tank itself, so minerals and other corrosive elements in the water naturally attack it first before heading for the tank. This allows the anode to last a very long time, and protects the water tank from leaks and rust.
The rate at which the anode rod is consumed depends on the composition of your home’s water. Hard water tends to corrode it faster than softened water. A professional will be able to recommend the best type of anode rod for your particular situation, based on the results of a water quality test.
Like other sacrificial anodes, the anode rod will eventually be exhausted and dissolved, so it needs to be replaced. The good news is that doing so is relatively easy. It involves draining some water, removing the old anode rod, and inserting the new rod. Then, the technician will re-attach the breaker bar and reconnect the gas line.
If you suspect it’s time to replace the anode rod, there are a few signs to look for. The most obvious is a metallic taste or smell, which can indicate bacteria are growing in the anode. You may also notice rust spots or water pooling around the anode rod.
You should replace the anode rod as soon as you see these signs, or at the very least have it checked out by a professional to make sure it’s still functioning properly. If it isn’t, you may want to consider getting a flexible anode rod instead. These have short segments that snap together much like tent poles, making them easier to remove and replace in the future.
While it is possible to replace an anode rod yourself, it isn’t a recommended DIY project for most homeowners. In addition to having the right tools, you need a large enough area to safely access the water heater and drain some water. A plumber or HVAC technician will have the experience, tools, and equipment necessary to do this quickly and effectively.
Dip Tube
The dip tube is a critical water heater component that transports cold water into the bottom of your hot water tank. The tube is attached to the cold water inlet pipe and, when activated by new water pressure, pushes water down to where it’s heated and then rises back up to the top of the tank. The constant churning of new water and old water is what allows your water heater to maintain a steady supply of hot water without running out.
A defective dip tube can impact your hot water supplies in a few different ways. The most obvious is that lukewarm water will start to come out of your taps. This is because the dip tube is not working properly and is allowing cold water to escape to the top of your tank and mingle with your hot water.
Corrosion is another cause of dip tube failure. Because the tube is submerged in hot water of varying temperatures and acidity levels, it is susceptible to erosion over time. Minerals from hard water build up in the plastic, reducing its lifespan by up to two years.
Replacing the dip tube is a relatively easy DIY project, although you’ll need to take safety precautions. First, shut off the power to your water heater at the circuit breaker to ensure there’s no risk of electric shock. Next, disconnect the water supply line to your water heater and drain it using a garden hose connected to the drain port. Then you’ll need to turn off the water flow at the inlet nipple and use a wrench or flat screwdriver to loosen the dip tube and then remove it.
Once you’ve removed the old dip tube, install a new one, attach it to the inlet nipple and then reattach the water supply line. Once the tank is refilled and all connections are secure, switch your water and power back on and check the temperature and pressure of your hot water to ensure everything is functioning properly.
If your water heater is showing signs of damage, it may be time to call a professional plumber to help. They can conduct a full inspection of your water heater to identify the underlying issue and recommend the most effective repair or replacement options for you.
Pressure Valve
A water heater relies on a pressure valve to keep operating at a functional pressure level. This valve is typically installed in series with your home’s main water supply line and soon after your water meter. A conventional spring-loaded valve features a disc that seals against a valve seat. When system pressure exceeds a set threshold, the valve disc is pushed up (or lifted) from its seat and releases the excess water to prevent overpressure and damage. Once the water pressure returns to normal levels, the disc seals back in place.
A gas water heater has additional components to maintain safe operation, including a pilot light that stokes the main burner flame when needed; control valves managing flow rates and temperatures inside the unit; and a thermocouple acting as a safety device shutting off the gas supply in case of a pilot light outage. Gas water heater repair can be more complex than electric repairs, so if you suspect one of these parts is broken, it’s best to call in a professional.
When a water heater has stopped heating water, it’s usually due to a broken heating element that needs to be replaced. A water heater repair technician can easily replace this part to restore hot water production. However, a broken heating element can also be an indication of the appliance’s age, which may have reached its end of life. In this case, replacing the unit may be a more cost-effective and reliable solution.
If you’re interested in repairing your own gas water heater, here are some helpful tips: Before starting the repair process, it’s important to shut off power and water supply to your unit. This step helps to prevent injuries and potential electrical shocks. Then, locate the circuit breaker that controls your unit’s power supply and turn it off. Find the shut-off valve for your water supply line and close it as well.
Once your gas water heater is repaired, it’s a good idea to test it out by running hot water through the unit. This will help to ensure that all repair work was completed properly and that your unit is functioning correctly.