What’s Wrong with My Water Heater?
In the spirit of the Oscars, let’s raise a glass to water heaters. The unsung heroes of our homes and businesses. They sit in the cobwebbed corners of our garages, basements, and closets humming along day after day. We only notice them when there’s a problem, and then we heap insults on them instead of praises for all the years of heat they’ve provided. So this one’s for the water heaters, whether large or small, traditional or tankless. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy our showers and baths, do our laundry or wash our dishes—at least not with any hot water. Now that we’ve taken a moment to pay our respects for their hard work, it’s time to ask the question you’re here for… what’s wrong with my water heater?
At Rx-Plumbing, we’ve gotten countless calls from concerned homeowners in regards to their water heaters. Sometimes, all that’s needed is some expert advice for a quick DIY fix, yet others require a full unit replacement. Let’s walk through some of the common issues that you may be facing at this moment and how you can troubleshoot it yourself with little to zero know-how. If the problem at hand demands professional attention, we’ll also provide a brief breakdown of your options when it comes to replacing your compromised unit for a newer model or a different type entirely.
Troubleshooting Common Water Heater Problems
1. No Hot Water
Possible Causes:
Power issues (for electric water heaters)
Pilot light out (for gas water heaters)
A failed heating element
A malfunctioning thermostat
Troubleshooting Steps:
Electric Water Heater: First and foremost, check your circuit breaker. If it has tripped, simply reset it and see if that fixes the issue and heats the water again. A breaker that’s tripping consistently can be a sign of a more comprehensive electrical issue that needs professional attention.
Gas Water Heater: Check to see if the pilot light is on (there’ll be a little window through which you can see). If there isn’t any active flame, relight it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In the event that the pilot light refuses to remain lit, you could need a new thermocouple.
If these steps still don’t work, you’ll likely need to call a professional to replace your heating element or thermostat.
2. Water Isn’t Hot Enough
Possible Causes:
Incorrect thermostat setting
Sediment buildup inside the tank
A failing heating element
Troubleshooting Steps:
Ensure that your thermostat is set to 120–140°F (this is the recommended range for most homes according to the Department of Energy).
Drain and flush the tank at least once a year to remove sediment buildup. This will improve your unit’s efficiency, help it to work properly, and reduce wear and tear on the system.
If the water is still lukewarm after these steps, you may need to replace the heating element.
3. Water is Too Hot
Possible Causes:
Thermostat set too high
A faulty thermostat
Troubleshooting Steps:
Change the thermostat to 120°F and wait a couple of hours to see if that solves it.
If the water temperature doesn’t seem to have changed and is still too hot, your thermostat may be malfunctioning and in need of replacing.
4. Water Heater is Leaking
Possible Causes:
A loose drain valve
A corroded or cracked tank
Faulty plumbing connections
Troubleshooting Steps:
Inspect the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. If it’s loose, make sure to tighten it.
Check all of the pipes and fittings connected to the heater. If you see any leaks, they will need to be resealed or replaced.
If the tank body itself has a leak somewhere, it must be replaced. Any sort of crack or puncture cannot be patched safely, so the entire unit is compromised.
5. Strange Noises Coming from the Water Heater
Possible Causes:
Sediment buildup
Expansion and contraction of pipes
A failing heating element
Troubleshooting Steps:
If you hear rumbling or popping sounds, it’s more than likely due to sediment that has built up at the bottom of the tank and is banging around. Thoroughly drain and flush the tank to remove the sediment.
If you hear high-pitched noises, it could be a sign of excessive pressure. Take a look at the pressure relief valve to make sure that it’s functioning properly.
6. Rusty or Discolored Water
Possible Causes:
Corroded anode rod inside the tank
Rusty pipes
Troubleshooting Steps:
If your fixtures only produce discolored water when they’re turned to ‘hot’, it’s likely an issue with your water heater and not your entire water line. The anode rod is an inexpensive part that typically goes bad every five years, so replacing it is a common solution in this case.
If both hot and cold water are discolored, the issue is likely with your home’s pipes rather than the heater itself.
7. Low Hot Water Pressure
Possible Causes:
Sediment buildup in the tank or pipes
A partially closed shutoff valve
Corroded pipes
Troubleshooting Steps:
Drain and flush the tank to remove any sediment.
Make sure that the shutoff valve is fully open.
Old, corroded plumbing pipes may be the culprit of low water pressure. Consider repiping your home if that happens to be the case.
When to Call a Plumber
A lot of water heater issues can be dealt with through the simple troubleshooting steps above. However, certain scenarios can greatly benefit from a professional touch. We advise calling a plumber if any of the following happen to be true in your case:
The water heater tank itself is the source of a leak.
You still have no hot water after resetting the circuit breaker or relighting the pilot light.
You are experiencing frequent temperature fluctuations.
Your water heater is greater than 10-12 years old and showing signs of failure or operational difficulties.
There is discolored water or an unpleasant smell coming from your hot water taps.
At Rx-Plumbing, we specialize in quick and effective water heater diagnoses, repairs, and replacements. Many plumbers will try to sell you a water heater when you don’t need it, or upsell a model that doesn’t fit your lifestyle. We pride ourselves in being plumbers, not salesmen, so you’ll receive an honest diagnosis from our experts with our Master Plumber advice and options for moving forward. If a water heater replacement is the decision you make, we’ll gladly present you with all of the pros and cons of the available models. Here’s a quick rundown of a few options from our perspective:
Types of Water Heaters: Pros and Cons
While every water heater has the same basic task (to heat water), they can differ greatly in how they achieve that. While there are differences between electric or gas models, we’re going to just organize them as follows:
1. Traditional Tank Water Heaters
How They Work: These water heaters are the basic style that most everyone is familiar with. They are large units since they store and heat a limited amount of water in their tank. When the hot water is in use, the tank refills with more water and begins heating the fresh supply.
Pros:
Lower initial cost
Simple installation
Works well for households in need of consistent hot water usage
Cons:
Limited hot water supply (once the tank is empty, you have to wait for it to refill)
Higher ongoing energy cost since it continuously heats the water in the tank
Larger size takes up more space
2. Tankless Water Heaters
How They Work: These are also known as on-demand water heaters and operate without a tank by heating the water as it makes its way to your tap.
Pros:
Unlimited hot water supply
More energy-efficient (they only use energy when the taps are engaged)
Takes up less space
Cons:
Higher initial cost
They can struggle to supply multiple hot water taps at the same time
Installation is more complex
3. Hybrid / Heat Pump Water Heaters
How They Work: These use electricity to move heat from the surrounding air into the water, which actually results in a highly energy-efficient system.
Pros:
Uses about 60% less energy than standard tank heaters
Environmentally friendly
Long lifespan
Cons:
Higher initial cost
Requires more space for ventilation
Does not work as well in cooler climates
4. Solar Water Heaters
How They Work: This option is the most eco-friendly since it uses solar energy to heat your water through solar panels.
Pros:
Significantly reduces your energy bills
Environmentally friendly
Cons:
Highest initial cost
Dependent on the availability of sunlight
Still requires a backup heating system
Your Local Water Heater Experts
A typical water heater will last about 10-15 years, but this is just a rough number. We know homeowners that have maintained their units carefully and are still using them 20+ years down the road. At the same time, some units go bad within just a few years! Regardless, you don’t have to be afraid of your water heater either way. These inventions are marvels that we should be more thankful for. If yours is giving you some trouble, know that there are common issues that many water heaters express over time through regular usage. Try your hand at troubleshooting it yourself and make sure to flush your tank (if your model has one) annually to get the best out of it.
If you’re in the market for a replacement or an upgrade, be sure to consider your household size and usage habits, desired energy bills, available space, and initial budget to narrow down your options.
Need some advice repairing or replacing your current water heater? Simply reach out to us anytime! We’re always ready to help our neighbors.
