Getting ahead of a hot water heater problem is a great way to avoid emergency repair or replacement services. If you know the signs of a hot water heater that needs repairing you can schedule an appointment with a technician on your own time, and even have the luxury of shopping around for different services in order to get competitive pricing.
On the other hand, if your hot water heater suddenly breaks, you may end up paying higher prices for emergency repair or replacement, leaving no time to choose between different companies or even get a good deal on a hot water heating unit. The bottom line is that realizing there is a problem and having it assessed by a technician before the unit breaks will save you money. There are a number of signs that you need hot water heater repair in Grand Rapids, MN. Here are some of them:
- No hot water at all: A very common problem is to unexpectedly lose your hot water. When this happens, the first thing to consider is the age of the hot water heater. Especially if the unit is not very old, you may just have an electrical or pilot light issue. Even if you have no experience working with hot water heaters, you still can head over to your fuse box to ensure the problem is not there. Next, inspect the unit for disconnected electric connections or for any other visible signs of a problem. If nothing stands out to you and the unit seems to be getting power, call for hot water heater repair in Grand Rapids, MN.
- Hot water disappears more quickly: Less hot water than usual is also a problem. While the unit may obviously be working, for whatever reason you seem to run out of hot water much faster than usual. While this could possibly be a sign that the unit is failing, it’s most likely something else, like a defective thermostat. You can try to adjust the thermostat, although this might just cover up the problem rather than fix it.
- Hot water quality is inconsistent: There are numerous signs that a hot water heater is beginning to break or that it will need replacement soon. Most commonly you will notice changes in your hot water quality, whereas when you run cold water, there is no noticeable difference. Usually when a hot water heater needs repairs, hot water coming out of the faucet will appear rusty in color, have an unusual odor or have a metallic taste. Any of these signs may mean you need hot water heater repair in Grand Rapids, MN. Just to confirm the problem, you can also attempt to look inside of the tank. If there is increased sediment collecting, then you definitely have a problem. Again, an important question to ask is how old the hot water heater is, as age is a very reliable indicator of the quality of your hot water tank.
- The unit is leaking: Many professional hot water heater repair technicians get calls because either the hot water heater is making excessive noise while operating, or there is a leak coming from the tank. Especially if there is a leak, do not take chances—call for emergency repair immediately. You may not need immediate replacement, but ignoring the problem can lead to much larger issues.
For all of your hot water heater needs, call the team at Rapids Plumbing & Heating Inc today.