Deer Valley residents have plenty of places to be at all hours of the day, but many can’t take a step out the door without hitting the shower first. It’s just part of the daily routine.
Families get into a flow, but one thing can bring it all to a halt. A busted water heater. Without a drop of hot water, a shower can be a nightmare, and even prep time at the bathroom sink and mealtime in the kitchen can be ruined.
So what’s the problem? Is your water heater just having a mid-life crisis or is it time for a new unit? It’s best to leave the question to Rooter & Plumbing Service serving Deer Valley and the greater Phoenix area. We can come in and determine the problem, find the easiest solution, and have your family back on schedule again.
The Easy Water Heater Issues
Our plumbers strive to find the easiest fixes to water heater problems. If your problem can be easily fixed with a simple repair or by performing a simple maintenance routine then that’s what we’ll do. No need to spend lots of money and waste a lot of man-hours on simple problems.
There are some common problems with water heaters that you may even be able to fix yourself. Here are a few of those issues to check for:
- Fuse Issue – One simple thing you can check for yourself is to go to your fuse box and make sure power is still flowing to your unit. Your breaker may have tripped. You can usually just flip it back on. This can be an issue with gas-burning water heaters too since they also need electricity to function. Our plumbers can always come out and check the issue if a simple flip of the switch doesn’t work.
- Pilot Lights – On a gas water heater a pilot light can go out. If you feel comfortable turning off the gas to the unit and relighting the pilot light, you may be able to handle this yourself. If not call us. If the unit won’t allow the pilot light to be relit, it may be a sign of a bigger issue.
- A flush – If you don’t seem to have the same capacity of hot water that you used to have, it may be time for a flush. A flush evacuates all of the sediment that’s built up inside your hot water tank, cutting down on the supply of hot water. A plumber can come out and drain the water and sediment, making more room for hot water. If you feel you can accomplish this task yourself, just make sure you are careful with the scalding hot water that may come out. Best to let the water in the unit cool down.
- Water not hot enough – You may find that your hot water isn’t as warm as it used to be. You can try to turn up the thermostat yourself. Some models have a thermostat dial on the outside of the tank. Other units have a thermostat adjustment behind an access panel. Power should be cut to the unit before taking off the service panel. If you do turn your temperature up, you’ll have to give the unit time to warm the water. Also, be careful when you first try the new temperature, you don’t want to burn yourself.
The More Serious Water Heater Issues
Some water heater issues may take a more complex repair to fix. Our experienced plumbers can determine what’s needed or recommend a new unit if necessary.
If your tank is in the 8-12 year range it may be time for a new model, but some parts can be repaired by a professional.
Here’s a look at some of the problems older hot water heaters start to experience:
- Electric Water Heater Issues – Leaks can be a problem with any type of model. If the tank on the unit is leaking, you’ll likely be needing a new unit. Another possible issue, a heating element may have gone out, but these can usually be replaced. Also, the thermostat telling the elements how hot to make the water may have gone bad. A new one can be installed.
- Leaking Water Heater – A leak around a unit can mean a few things. If the tank itself is leaking there’s generally not a lot to be done. A new water heater is needed.
- Gas Water Heater Issues – The valve that regulates the gas going into the unit can go bad. It’s also an important safety barrier. If it starts to malfunction it can be replaced. A thermocouple sensor may also be the issue. This sensor monitors the pilot light and lets gas from the gas control valve through when it’s functioning.
Water Heater Consultation in Deer Valley and Phoenix
Don’t let your bathroom inflict an arctic blast on your family. When your hot water heater is having trouble, call Rooter & Plumbing Service to talk to a plumber. Our professionals can quickly determine if you need a simple fix or if it’s time for a brand new unit. If that’s the case we can also guide you to finding the best water heater for your needs.
If you are struggling with cold water in the kitchen or bathroom in Deer Valley or greater Phoenix contact us today.
