6 Signs of Water Heater Trouble

August 24, 2023

You don’t think much about your water heater until your nice hot shower turns ice cold. Trouble with the water heater can creep up on you, even mid-shower. However, there are other signs to look out for that could signal a malfunctioning water heater.

Unusual noises

If your water heater is producing a rumbling, popping or whining noise, then there may be excessive sediment buildup in the bottom of the tank. You could try draining the tank to get rid of the sediment. If your water heater continues to make strange noises, reach out to the Hamilton Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Rooter team for an accurate assessment of the issue.

Rust-colored water or a foul smell

Brown, yellow or reddish water is a sign of corrosion in the water heater tank or in your home’s pipes. If the water coming out of your faucet smells like rotten eggs, then the issue may be bacteria in the hot water heater tank. To fix this, you’ll need to replace the anode rod in the tank.

Leak from water heater tank

A leak in your water heater may be caused by leaking valves and plumbing connections, loose heating elements, tank corrosion or other tank-related problems. Reach out to Hamilton Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Rooter for a free inspection of your water heater.

Extremely high water temperature

If your showers have turned boiling hot, then the issue may be with the water heater’s thermostats. Check the heat setting on each thermostat and make sure the temperature is set between 115℉ and 125℉.

Not enough hot water

If you aren’t getting enough hot water, then maybe your water heater isn’t big enough to meet the household’s hot water demands. Typically, a water heater stores 75 percent of its capacity as hot water. If you’re not open to replacing your water heater with a bigger unit, then try spreading out your hot water usage throughout the day and avoid washing dishes, doing laundry and taking a shower at the same time.

No hot water at all

If your water heater isn’t giving you any hot water at all, then the issue may be a tripped limit switch or a broken component in the water heater. Check the water heater’s circuit breaker in the service panel and make sure that it hasn’t tripped. If the breaker has tripped, switch it off and then switch it back on again. If the heater’s breaker is still on, then try resetting the high-temperature limit on the heater.