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The water heater in your home is one of the most important appliances. Without a fully functioning water heater, you won't be able to bathe, do dishes, or run many of your appliances properly. The best way to prevent an expensive, complete water heater breakdown, it is essential that you can recognize the signs that you need to call for water heater repair. The sooner you call a professional, the better.

The Water Isn't Coming Out As Hot As It Should

If you turn on the hot water in your Rosenberg, TX home, and the water is lukewarm, it could mean that the water heater needs to be repaired. Before you call a professional, there are a few things that you should check. First, check to see what the temperature is set to. If it were accidentally lowered or switched to vacation mode, it would affect the temperature of the water. Also, you should consider the temperature outside. If it is extremely cold outside, the water entering the tank will be very cold. When the water is extremely cold, it can be difficult for the water heater to heat it to the desired temperature quickly. If everything checks out and the water is still lukewarm, you should call a professional in water heater repair.

Electric water heaters work by using two elements to keep the water hot. If one of the elements fails, you will need to call a professional for water heater repair. When only one element is functioning correctly, the water won't reach the desired temperature. Gas water heaters use a burner to heat the water. If the burner is beginning to fail, the water won't reach the desired temperature. Ignoring the problem and allowing it to persist will only make the problem worse. It is best to call a professional right away to diagnose the problem and then repair it.

The Hot Water Runs Out Too Quickly

If you find that you are running out of hot water sooner than usual, it may be time to call a professional. The water heater in your Rosenberg, TX home, should have enough hot water for a few showers. To take an average shower or bath, you will need 20 gallons of water. If you have a 100-gallon tank, this should be plenty of water. If you are barely getting through one shower with enough hot water, it may be time to call a professional. The issue could be with the element or burner that heats the water, or there could be something else going on internally. If your water heater is old, its age could be causing the issue. The only way to know for sure is to call a professional to inspect the water heater to find the source of the problem.

Unusual Sounds

It is not uncommon for your water heater to make a humming noise when it is running. If you hear anything sounds other than humming, you should call a professional immediately. It is not uncommon for sediment to build up at the bottom of your water tank. If the sediment hardens, it can cause banging or clanging sounds inside the water heater. If the water heater in your home is in the basement or a closet, it is easy to ignore the issue because you won't hear it. This is a mistake. The sediment can end up putting a hole in the water heater, resulting in a serious flood. If you hear any strange sounds coming from the water heater, you should call a professional for water heater repair immediately.

Rust Colored Water

If the hot water in your home is coming out rusty, the first thing that you should do is check the color of the cold water. If both the hot and cold water is coming out rusty, it likely means that the interior of your pipes is corroded. If just the hot water is coming out rust-colored, it could mean that the inside of the hot water tank is rusty. In this case, you should call for water heater repair right away, and avoid using the hot water until the problem can be resolved. If you absolutely must use the hot water, boil it first, because rusty water is not healthy for consumption. If the inside of your water tanks has begun to rust, the professional in water heater repair may suggest that you replace it with a new one.

Leaking Water

If you are like most people, your water heater is in the basement or tucked away in a closet. While it is great to keep the water heater out of sight for aesthetic reasons, you won't know if there is a leak. This is why you should make it a habit to inspect your water heater and the area around it once a week. If you notice that there is water pooling up around the water heater, there is a good chance that it is leaking. If it is leaking, even if it is a small leak, it can cause damage to your home. This is why it is so essential that you call a professional in water heater repair as soon as you notice the leak. If you wait, it will only make the problem worse.

If you are able to detect issues with your water heater early, you can call for water heater repair before the problem has a chance to get worse. There are plenty of videos online that teach DIY water heater repair; however, you should never attempt to repair the issue on your own. Just one small mistake on your part can result in a complete breakdown of the unit or a leak. Also, if your water heater is under warranty, the warranty will be voided as soon as you attempt a repair on your own.

If you believe that you need to call a professional for water heater repair, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing Of Houston. Our technicians are highly skilled and can diagnose the problem with your water heater quickly. They can outline your options to help you make the best decision to get your hot water heater running correctly again. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today.