In our experience, there’s never a good time to see your water heater stop working. It’s such a core part of what makes your home comfortable that losing it even for a few hours can be a massive problem. While you can always call us at Cornel’s to fix any and all issues with your system, we think transparency is important and want you to know exactly what’s wrong with your water heater. We’ve looked at our records and narrowed down some of the most common reasons your water heater stopped working.
Poor Installation
Just like a carpenter needs the right tools for the right job your water heater system needs to be properly fitted to your home and your needs. Often, new homeowners find that the previous owners did a slipshod job of installing the water heater. Maybe you had children and expanded the size of your household. An improperly sized system does not provide the results you’re looking for. Be sure that you have the right heater for your home.
Rust
Rust is an inevitable problem whenever you’re dealing with anything metal, especially water heaters. To prevent this, water heaters come equipped with devices called sacrificial anodes, which act as deterrents to rust damage. Over time, these anodes wear away. Check your system annually and give us a call if you notice these rods failing.
Air Quality
In order to heat your water, a process called combustion needs to occur. Essentially this is that air is taken into the water heater and used to heat the water. But if that air is low quality or contains corrosive fumes? Bad air can destroy your water heater from the inside out.
Water Pressure
Speaking generally, 80 PSI should be your maximum water pressure. If it’s much higher than this, you need to fix the problem before the damage becomes permanent.
Accumulated Sediment
The water in your heater contains a lot of minerals and chemicals. Over time, these compounds build up within your system into a sludge-like substance which, as you could imagine, disrupts the efficiency of the water heater. Draining and cleaning the tank regularly can help prevent this, but without regular maintenance, you may need to call a professional to fix the issue.
Age
Time stops for no water heater. Just like people, water heaters get old. They get worn down and parts deteriorate. Water heaters generally last about a decade or so. If your system is 10+ years old and you’re noticing a decrease in your water quality, it may be time to give us a call.
Consult With Your Plumber
There’s a lot of misinformation out there about water heaters. We only covered a select handful here. Has your water heater stopped working? If you have questions about your water heater, give us a call at Cornel’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning! Our team of experts can answer any and all questions you may have about water heaters, tankless or otherwise. Be sure to check out our stellar reviews while you’re at it!
