Hot Water Heater Problems

The worst time to have a hot water heater problem is while you are in the shower or washing dishes. Luckily, hot water heater problems are not as difficult to handle as you might think, and you do not have to buy a brand new water heater every time something goes wrong. If you do purchase a new hot water heater, get the correct one for your house or your mobile home, as each differs in size and capacity.

Tips and instructions on how to fix your own water heater problems

The different problems that can occur with water heaters are not enough water, water that is not hot enough, water that is too hot, rusty or dirty water, a leaky water heater, a rusty tank, a noisy water heater and a smelly water heater. Hard water contaminants can build up over time. This creates a layer of sediment on the bottom of the water tank, hinders the heater's performance and shortens its life. Slow down this process by softening the hard water and lowering the temperature to 130 degrees.

Turn off the electricity and water prior to any work on your water heater.

Fix the problem

To fix the problem of not enough water, push the reset button on the high-temperature cutoff valve. Test the thermostats and the heating element, and replace them if they are not working. To fix the problem of not enough hot water, check to see if pilot light is out. Relight it if it is. If the pilot light does not stay lit, clean the pilot orifice, tighten the thermocouple connections and/or replace a faulty thermocouple. Also, adjust the thermostat settings. You might also see if your water heater holds less than 15 gallons of water per family member. If so, consider purchasing a larger unit or staggering the use of the hot water within the family. To fix the problem of too hot water, adjust the thermostat settings and reset. Test and replace the thermostat or high-limit cutoff if necessary. To fix the problem of a leaky heater, check the pressure relief valve. If a leak continues, replace the valve, then tighten the mounting bolts on the heating element gasket, and replace the gasket, if necessary. To fix the problem of a rusty tank, replace the water heater. To fix the problem of a noisy heater, drain and flush the tank and replace damaged or scale-encrusted elements if necessary. To fix the problem of dirty water, drain and flush the tank, and do this on a regular basis to extend the life of your electric water heater. If drain valves leak, tighten or replace them.

Electrical concerns

If you smell a gas odor for more than a couple of minutes, close the gas-shutoff valve that supplies water to the heater, and open a door or window to ventilate the room. Call your gas company immediately. Your electric water heater is a 240-volt appliance and can produce a fatal shock. Turn off the power in your house by flipping all of the switches at the service panel to the off positions prior to beginning any work. Tell your family you are working on the electrical water heater and label the electric service panel with a sign of some kind that can alert family members that you are working on the electricity. Also, shut off the water supply to the water heater.

Following all of these tips and instructions should ensure a cheaper and safer way of repairing your water heater at home. Good luck!

Turn off the electricity and water prior to any work on your water heater