The comforts of hot water are usually taken for granted until near-freezing water streams out of a showerhead on you or an unfortunate family member. The screams of discomfort may alert you to a hot water heater problem.
Your goal will then be to return your water back to a nice, warm temperature. But does your water heater need a tune-up or is it time to replace that trusty household appliance?
That can depend on where the problem is. A call to Rooter & Plumbing Service covering Central City and greater Phoenix can get you started on tracking down the issue and determining the cheapest, fastest solution for your household.
The Easiest Fixes for Hot Water Heater Problems in Central City
Our plumbers won’t suggest an expensive solution if you have a very basic and easy to fix issue. Your problem may just be a blown or tripped fuse. You may not even need a plumber’s help getting things back up and running.
On gas-burning models, a pilot light can go out. This is a fairly simple fix, but you have to always be careful when working around a gas line. One of our plumbers can certainly relight your water heater in a jiffy.
Bigger Problems for a Water Heater
Water Heaters can have bigger issues going on. Some of them can be repaired, other problems may make it more cost-effective to replace the entire unit, especially on older models that may be nearing the end of their lifespan. Water heaters can generally last anywhere from 8-12 years or more depending on usage.
These are a few of the common problems that spring up with water heaters:
- Flush Needed — Age can leave a water heater providing less and less hot water over the months and years. Sediment can build up in the tank, leaving less room to store hot water. A flush can solve the issue.
- Anode Rod Replacement – An anode rod helps fight corrosion inside your tank. They should be replaced every 5 years or so. If they are not, water can become brownish and start to smell funny.
- Leaking Water Heater — A leaking water heater should be easy to spot. If the problem is a leak on a water line going into a water heater or on a relief valve then a repair can usually be made. If the tank itself is leaking, the solution will usually involve replacing the entire unit and getting a new water heater.
- Heating Element Replacement – Your electric water heater has two heating elements. An upper and lower element. They are linked so if one quits, there may be no hot water at all.
- Thermostat Replacement – The thermostat controls the temperature for each heating element. If heating elements are working right, then it may be that the thermostat is malfunctioning and not telling the elements to heat.
Gas Water Heater Issues in Phoenix
A gas water heater still uses electricity for certain functions so a problem with these units can be electrical. A fuse or an electrical panel issue could be keeping you from hot water.
We talked about pilot light issues earlier. Here are a couple of other issues that can make a gas water heater go cold:
- Gas Control Issues – The valve that supplies gas to the unit and cuts it off when there’s a safety issue can go bad. This valve will need to be replaced.
- Thermocouple Issue – This sensor lets gas from the gas control valve through when the pilot light is functioning properly. If it is malfunctioning, you won’t get gas to your unit and you may not be able to relight your pilot light until it’s replaced.
What should you know when replacing a hot water heater?
If it’s necessary to replace the entire water heater you need to be aware of some changes that might’ve happened since you installed your last unit.
- Pricing New Water Heaters – A new storage-tank water heater can start at around $350 and go up to around $1500 for the highest efficiency models. That doesn’t include installation and the costs of hauling the old unit away.
- Tankless Water Heaters – These units are more expensive but can be much more efficient than a tank-style water heater. The big bonus is that you never run out of hot water, so these units can be great for families. They are also much smaller than a tank unit.
- Sizing a Water Heater – Over the years water heaters have become more efficient by including more insulation to hold heat. This has made units bigger. So a unit that holds the same amount of water as your old one can still be physically larger. That means a new unit may not fit in the same space your old one did.
Water Heater Consultation in Central City and around Phoenix
The flow of hot water keeps your family’s daily life flowing too. The comfort of hot water can help start your day and help you end the day in a relaxing manner. You can’t be without it long.
If you are having any sort of trouble with your hot water, please talk to Rooter & Plumbing Service of Phoenix to get an expert, local recommendation on repairs or replacement.
If you contact us today, we will be happy to provide you with a consultation to discuss the best option for your house and your family.
