Hot Water Heaters: When Should You Call A Plumber

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How often do you think you run your faucet in any given day? And how many times out of that, do you think you’re using hot water? Your water heater is used every day, unless it’s intentionally shut off. Just like any appliance in your home, maintenance is required from time to time, but how do you know when? For the most part, water heaters are straightforward and easily maintained monsters. They have few parts, and do their best to do their jobs. You can typically fix most small issues by watching a quick youtube video or calling your dad, but there’s always a time in life where youtube and dad just aren’t enough. If your water tank itself has gone to pot, then it’s time to replace the whole unit. Unless you have any real plumbing experience, that’s going to take an expert.

We often hear complaints of a “popping” noise coming from your water heater. If you’re sitting at home and start hearing popcorn going off, it’s likely not a ghost. Your water heater eventually gathers enough sediment that it needs to be flushed. If you live in an area with high mineral content in your water, this is likely to happen to you. As the layers of sediment build, pools of water get trapped underneath. The water eventually heats up due to the burners, and we all know that when water heats up. It creates steam that naturally rises. The noises you’re hearing are simply steam bubbles pushing through layers of sediment. This sediment builds up, and doesn’t go away without a proper flush. The more sediment in your water heater, the harder it works and the higher your utility bills will be!

Leaks are another common issue with a water heater. Sometimes though, it’s hard to tell if that leak is from an actual issue, or if it’s purely condensation. Some leaks can’t be fixed, but if you do find one, call a professional and see if they can repair it. If not, you’ll be in the market for a new water heater. The issue could be a simple as a loose valve, or as complicated as erosion. Don’t wait around for the problem to get worse, call and have a technician out as soon as possible.

The last thing we’d like to mention is if the water heater has blown the breaker switch at home. The first thing you need to do in this situation is turn off the water heater, then immediately call your plumer. You need to avoid using hot water until the problem is fixed, and don’t bother replacing your breaker with a higher rated one unless you’ve heard from an electrician. You could have a bad heating element, a bad thermostat, or just bad wiring problems. Either way, you’re mixing water with electricity, and it’s best left up to the professionals.

​You can always depend on us to fix your issues, and just because youtube is cheaper, doesn’t mean it’s the smarter option. A DIY repair gone bad can mean an even higher repair bill in the long run! Efficiency says you should call us today if you’re having any issues at all with the plumbing in your home. We look forward to hearing from you!

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