In most families, the first sign that something is wrong with the hot water heater sounds something like, “Hey, did someone use all the hot water?” Suddenly, that almost forgotten household appliance, stashed in the basement or a utility closet, has become very, very important. The next question will likely be whether the water heater should be repaired or replaced. The deciding factors are normally whether or not the water heater is still under warranty and the exact nature of the problem.
Storage-tank water heater usually live for quite a few years; most are warrantied for 10 years or longer. However, if the problem is a steady leak from a corroded area of the tank, TURN OFF THE WATER. Otherwise, you will be cleaning up 40 or so gallons of water. If the tank is corroded and leaking, the water heater will need to be replaced.
Some other problems that might be encountered are listed below.
- That water on the floor might not be coming from the tank itself, but from a leaky pipe or loose valve. Other possibilities might be the heating element or an obstructed vent.
- On a gas water heater, the pilot light could have gone out. The owner’s manual will have directions on relighting the pilot light; if doing this makes you uncomfortable, call the gas company or someone who repairs
- Sediment (minerals or hard-water scale) can accumulate and then break off inside the tank. One sign that this has happened is strange noises coming from the tank. This is a professional repair.
- If there is water but it’s not hot enough, check the thermostat. If it set properly, the tank may need to be flushed. If that doesn’t fix the problem, it may be time to call a repairman.
Once the problem has been identified, the cost of the repair generally determines whether to repair or replace the water heater. It is not cost-effective to spend several hundred dollars to repair old Water Heaters in Fort Wayne IN. Brockman Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving Fort Wayne since 1957 and has handled just about every possible water heater problem. Click Here for more information or to contact the company. For 54 years they have stood by their motto: On time, done right – or it’s FREE!
