As a homeowner, you probably count on your water heater to be reliable. You can do this. When you know the signs of a failing water heater, you can arrange for repairs or replacement by Wild West Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Kalispell, MT, before the unit quits completely.

How Does a Water Heater Work?

Understanding the parts of a water heater can help you pinpoint the most likely places where it can fail. Water moves into the water heater from a line that branches off your main pipe into the house. From there, it moves into a holding tank inside the water heater.

Inside the tank are two elements that heat the water and two thermostats that trigger those elements to come on. When your tank fills for the first time after being emptied of hot water, those elements operate until the thermostats determine that the water has reached the temperature you selected on the unit’s settings. From there, a pipe carries hot water out of the tank and to the various fixtures throughout your home.

Newer units will also have electronic features that improve performance. These allow the water heater to “learn” your usage patterns to stockpile hot water before periods of heavy consumption while cycling less often during the hours when your family typically doesn’t bathe, clean, or do laundry. Your water heater may even have innovative features that allow you to manage it from your cell phone. A smart water heater can give you early warning of issues with pressure and temperature, allowing you to check on the problem before you would have noticed it on your own.

A holding tank is not part of the setup if you have an on-demand hot water heater. However, in some cases, a small tank, about a gallon, may be included to allow you to access hot water more quickly.

Any problems may reveal themselves with some simple warnings. Here are five reasons to suspect that your water heater may need repair or replacement soon.

1. Water That Is Too Cool or Too Hot

The most obvious reason to be concerned about your water heater is when it fails to provide hot water enough for your needs or when the water is too hot. These two situations can develop when your water heater has problems with a heating element, a thermostat, or both. You’re most likely to notice this in the shower when you can’t seem to get the temperature to the right level.

There is a difference between having too cool water for your shower and simply running out of hot water. If someone else just showered, a load of laundry is washing, and the dishwasher is starting a cycle, you’ll probably run low on hot water, even if your heater is working perfectly. When you see a pattern of insufficiently hot water, you may have reason to suspect a problem. Low temperatures could suggest issues with the heating elements or the thermostats.

Those same problems could cause the water to be too hot, which is not only wasteful on your energy bill but could also present a serious scalding hazard, especially if you have small children in the home. There is no reason for your water to start getting too hot other than someone adjusting the temperature on your water heater. If that hasn’t happened, there is probably something wrong.

2. Presence of Rust

For many years, homes have been plumbed with copper piping and, more recently, various plastic products like PEX and CPVC. Although the lines going into and out of your water heater will also be made of some non-corroding material, the tank where it stores hot water is made of steel to tolerate the high temperatures and pressures that a water heater handles. If that tank begins to rust, it will appear in your faucets.

It’s also possible that the rust originates somewhere else. If you have old cast iron plumbing in your house, that may be the cause. Also, iron is standard in the groundwater in many locations, meaning the rust originates outside your home. In both cases, there will be rust in both cold and hot water lines, so one way to help diagnose the problem is to determine if you’re only seeing rust when you use hot water. Your toilet only uses cold water, so if you see rust there, the source is something other than your water heater.

3. Increased Energy Consumption

Water heaters use a lot of gas or electricity to heat your family’s water. When they work well, their energy consumption is optimized, keeping your fuel bills steady. However, problems with the heating elements, thermostat, or circuitry can cause the water heater to cycle more frequently, increasing its power usage and pushing your utility bills upward.

Of course, it can sometimes be hard to detect those increases. Look at your year-over-year bills and see how this June compares to last June. You may also notice the water heater lighting or powering up more frequently. If you’re suspicious about your energy consumption, give us a call and get some help determining the exact cause.

4. Leaks or Trickles

Your water heater is designed to be fully watertight. You should never see water dripping from any part of the unit. If you do, something is wrong that requires our professional attention.

Not only could this situation leave you without hot water, but more importantly, it could also be dangerous to your family and destructive to your home. If you see water leaking from your water heater, call for professional help.

5. Expected Service Life Expired

Your water heater’s lifespan may vary, but one or two decades of regular use is long enough for you to have a replacement plan in mind. After that point, your water heater is living on borrowed time.

New models offer increased energy efficiency and even innovative features that allow you to operate and monitor the system through your phone from anywhere with internet access. Replacing an old heater before it fails will also give you peace of mind that you have a reliable, new unit that won’t leave you out in the cold.

Preparing for a New Water Heater

If you believe your water heater will need replacement, several things must be considered. First, decide if you want a hot water tank or a tankless system. If this is a change from your existing heater, then you need to look into what additional plumbing, gas and/or electrical work may be needed. If you are replacing your hot water tank, consider whether your size is appropriate or if you would benefit from a bigger or smaller tank.

Before your water heater fails, look into whether you want any new technologies, like smart tracking capabilities. This is a good time to check prices on water heaters and start saving. If you think you have some time, you may want to track holiday sales and other incentives to get a good price.

Contact the Experts

If you have questions about the reliability of your water heater or other plumbing issues or would like to speak to our experts about your plumbing, contact our team at Wild West Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We also provide heating and cooling services, sewer repair, and more.