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One thing that most, if not all, Canadian households have in common is that they have water heaters. For the most part, we generally tend to take having hot water on demand for granted. On the contrary, people who have taken a cold shower or two during the wintertime are well aware of how necessary it is. There are a number of water heaters, unfortunately, that don’t work well. This is because a lot of models used in water heater installation are well over a decade old.
Here are some of the typical water heater issues in homes and ways to address them:
Have a lot of people in your house? Living in an apartment complex? Then you’ve experienced this common problem. There are far too many people using the tank’s hot water supply, so the machine has a hard time keeping up with timely production.
There are a number of possible solutions for this issue. One of the easier ways to solve it is pretty easy: adjust the heater’s temperature dial, and wait half an hour. A power surge by the device can trigger tripped circuits in an electrical water heater.
Does the issue keep happening? There are likely wiring issues, with the machine drawing more power than necessary. In that instance, you should call an electrician immediately.
It’s also helpful to attempt draining your water heater. This will help remove any hard water sediments that have been causing the machine to run with less efficiency.
When none of those work, it’s most likely that the issue is with a component that’s malfunctioning. It’s either a heating element or a pressure relief valve.
Both electrical components close to the device and the floor can get seriously damaged from a leaking water heater. It’s important that, before checking for a problem, the electricity or gas should be turned off. The device should also be left to cool down first.
It is possible to attempt a repair by tightening the screw and pipe connections, since they typically cause minor leaks. A more substantial leak at the water heater’s base, however, requires water heater replacement.
It is important to note that certain problems are specific to gas water heaters, such as broken pilot lights.
If the water temperature suddenly changes in the middle of your dishwashing or your shower, check the water heater’s thermostat on the side. Make sure that it is set to the temperature you want.
A replacement of the heating unit inside or the thermostat is needed if there are still drastic changes in the temperature. Also check on the unit’s size. The ratio should be 20 gallons of water for each person that lives in the home.
Water heater issues have to be addressed immediately by a qualified professional. Not doing so can cost you a lot in terms of repair, or you’ll have to replace them entirely. Most importantly, having your water heater in top form will prevent it from possibly being a safety hazard.
In need of water heater repair? Reach out to Bromac today! We’re always ready to offer plumbing and heating solutions.
Bromac Mechanical is located in Abbotsford, BC and services both the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley, Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Surrey and Maple Ridge
Bromac is always ready to offer plumbing and heating solutions and are willing to go above and beyond to serve our customers.
