How To Fix Water Heater Issues

Introduction to Common Water Heater Problems

An efficient hot water system, including tankless water heaters, is crucial for home comfort. Over time, water heaters can develop problems, leading to a lack of hot water. Common hot water system problems include:

• Faulty thermostats resulting in water too hot or not hot enough
• Sediment buildup leading to noisy heaters and discoloured water
• Leaking or corroded tanks causing flooding and water damage
• Insufficient hot water due to small tank capacity or a faltering upper element heating system

Baulkham Hills Plumbing expertly diagnoses and resolves issues with electric water heaters. With over ten years serving Sydney’s northwest, we have the skill and resources to restore your hot water system to perfect condition. Whether you need thermostat adjustments, heating element replacements, or full system installations, we are here to help.

Reach out if you believe there might be an issue with your hot water units.

Checking Power Supply and Basic Functions

If power is restored, monitor the water heater for further anomalies. Before inspecting any circuits, ensure the water heater is switched off at the fuse box.

Reset any tripped circuit breakers related to the water heater to restore functionality.

After confirming power supply, conduct a basic check of the water heater’s functions. Activate the power and scrutinise the gas control burner assembly following the guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Draw some hot water from a tap and proceed to monitor the gas supply pressure and temperature performance.

If there’s no hot water, the tap fails after a few minutes, or the temperature is too low, inspect the lower heating system for internal faults that may require professional help.

Diagnosing Thermostat and Heating Element Issues

Temperature issues such as fluctuations or inadequate heating often indicate thermostat or heating element problems.

Begin your examination by checking the thermostat settings on your electric hot water system. Consult your owner’s manual for the recommended water temperature setting, typically between 49-60°C, and adjust accordingly. Should adjusting the upper heating element not correct temperature issues, you may need to replace a faulty upper thermostat.

To test the heating element when facing low water pressure, disable power and consult the manual, which should list the correct resistance range, typically 5-25 ohms for new elements.

Then, use a multimeter to test resistance through the upper and lower heating elements. Gas water heaters, for example, typically have a single lower heating element. Then, use a multimeter to test resistance through the upper and lower heating elements.

If upon inspection both thermostat and heating elements test functional, issues could stem from sediment buildup, a short circuit, a hitemperature limit switch, or possible cause related to problems with wiring. With over 10 years of experience, we have the expertise to accurately diagnose and fix any hot water heater issue.

In complex water heating cases like these, contact your plumber at Baulkham Hills Plumbing.

Identifying and Addressing Leaks

One of the most common gas electric water heater issues is minor leaks. Electric hot water pooling at your unit’s base or visible dampness on tank walls usually indicate a leak. Leaks can often be traced to a defunct cold water inlet, hot water outlet, or a compromised anode rod seal.

Tighten any fittings or connections where leaks are detected.

If this does not resolve the issue, try replacing worn washers, the pressure relief valve, or connection fittings. You may be able to patch small tank leaks from the outside using specially formulated relief valve epoxy. Larger leaks or leaks originating from within the storage tank cannot be addressed with patching and the system will need professional replacement.

If you are unable to isolate and fix the leak source yourself, contact Baulkham Hills Plumbing right away to schedule a diagnosis. Our certified personnel possess the acumen to accurately pinpoint the origin of your problem and suggest appropriate remedies. We carry a complete inventory of water heater parts to facilitate quick and effective repairs.

Discolored Water and Sediment Buildup

Cloudy or discoloured hot water typically signals sediment buildup within the tank. Sediment accumulation happens over time as minerals from the water supply solidify and stick to the bottom and sides of the water heater.

Sediment not only muddies water but also diminishes heating efficiency and may produce noise as it moves within the tank.

The solution is to flush out the sediment by draining the tank water heater. Check your owner’s manual for specific instructions on how to drain your water heater. Generally, flushing involves the following steps:

1. Turn off power water heater and shut off the cold water intake valve.
2. Connect garden hose to drain valve and route to exterior of home for drainage.
3. Open the drain valve fully with a flathead screwdriver so water can rush out, taking with it any loose sediment.
4. Once the tank is drained, seal the drain valve, detach the hose, switch the supply water heater back on and reinstate electricity.

Annual flushing of your heating system can prevent excessive sediment buildup, ensuring cleaner water and prolonging heater lifespan. Should issues persist post-flushing, contact Baulkham Hills Plumbing for a comprehensive inspection and servicing.

Assessing Hot Water Capacity and Tank Size

It’s essential to have a hot water heater with enough capacity to meet your household’s needs. With undersized tankless water heaters, you might face dilemmas like not having enough hot water during ablutions or encountering feeble flows at various outlets. To assess if your tank size provides adequate capacity:

1. Determine peak hot water requirements based on number of people, bathrooms, and simultaneous uses like washing dishes or laundry.
2. Check your water heater’s tank capacity —often listed in gallons. Compare this to expected peak demand.
3. Run the hot tap for 10-15 minutes to assess proper flow. Strong water pressure typically indicates adequate capacity. Diminished water flow indicates the heater is too small.
4. Check that heating elements/burners provide adequate hot water recovery to meet demand without frequent cycling. Upgrade heating capacity if recovery is slow.

At Baulkham Hills Plumbing, we specialise in properly sizing and installing new hot water systems. If your tank cannot handle your household needs, we recommend upgrading to a larger capacity unit or adding secondary systems. This guarantees hot water all throughout your home for dependable hygiene, sanitisation, and upkeep activities.

When Professional Help is Needed

There are certain water heater issues that require professional assistance to properly diagnose and repair.

Should your hot water system still falter after troubleshooting, contact us for assistance. We recommend contacting Baulkham Hills Plumbing, as our experienced technicians have the advanced training, specialised equipment, and quality parts to solve persistent or complex problems.

We also advise you to call gas experts promptly if:

• If your pilot light in the gas hot water system will not remain ignited or the gas control assembly fails to activate, this could signify perilous gas seepages.
• You have no hot water at all despite power being present, indicating internal part failures.
• There are major leaks from the water tank or pipes leading to flooding hazards.
• Discoloured water persists after multiple system flushes.
• You smell gas fumes originating near the hot water system.
• When the aqueous temperature soars excessively and the tweaking of the thermostat or the hightemperature limit makes no difference.

For professional repairs on your electric and gas hot water systems by licensed plumbers, get in touch with Baulkham Hills Plumbing. We service all brands of electric hot water heaters, providing upfront pricing with no call-out fees for repairs. Trust us to get your hot water flowing properly again.

Preventative Maintenance

Regular maintenance is crucial to averting issues and extending the life of your water heater. We recommend scheduling annual tune-ups with Baulkham Hills Plumbing to keep the water heater your home depends on operating efficiently.

Our technicians perform comprehensive inspections to identify wear or damage in all components. Our service encompasses sediment flushing, obstruction clearing, thermostat calibration, and extensive assessment of heating mechanisms. Preventative maintenance guarantees prolonged and reliable operation of your water heater.

You can also implement a regular tank flushing routine using the drain valve. Flushing once a year clears out mineral buildup inside the tank, maintaining heating efficiency and water clarity.

Take advantage of our cost-effective maintenance packages offered by Baulkham Hills Plumbing’s water heater experts. Keeping your system well-maintained through regular professional servicing and self-care is the best way to prevent issues from occurring.