Water heaters can develop strange smells or discoloration in your water. This can be an indication of a sediment buildup or other issues.
Draining your water heater helps keep it in good condition and can eliminate odors or discoloration. The process is easy and inexpensive. However, if your heater is nearing the end of its life expectancy it may be more cost-effective to replace it. For professional help, contact Water Heater Repair Spring TX.
The thermostat controls the heating elements in your electric water heater. When the thermostat gets faulty it may fail to turn on the upper or lower heating element. This can result in a failure of the heating element and a tripped circuit breaker. If you have a failed thermostat, it is important to replace it quickly before the issue worsens. A professional plumber can easily diagnose and replace your thermostat, getting your water heater back to normal.
To check your thermostat, first make sure it has power by switching off the water heater at your home’s main electrical panel. Then use a screwdriver to remove the access panels for the upper and lower thermostats. If the panels are insulated, pull up and secure the insulation before continuing. Once the access panels are removed, use a digital multimeter to test the thermostat. Connect one of the multimeter’s probes to a thermostat terminal and the other to a wire. If the multimeter reads 1, your thermostat is broken and will need to be replaced.
If the multimeter reads 0 or is showing no continuity, then your thermostat is functioning properly. If you are unsure of how to read the results, consult your multimeter’s instruction manual.
Your thermostat should also show you a dial that indicates the temperature of the hot water in the tank. Ensure that the dial is set to your desired temperature setting. You can also adjust the dial if you want to save money by keeping your water a little warmer or cooler.
A malfunctioning thermostat can cause your water heater to overheat, which is a fire hazard. This can be a serious problem if it happens frequently, and should always be corrected by a professional.
Other common signs of a failing thermostat are that your water isn’t as hot as you like or that it keeps turning off at times when you’re using the water. A tripped circuit breaker is another sign of a malfunctioning thermostat, and should be checked by an electrician. Circuit breakers last a long time, but they do eventually wear out and stop working correctly. When this occurs, it is likely due to corrosion of the aluminum wiring connecting to the breaker.
Anode Rod
A water heater’s sacrificial anode rod takes the place of the tank’s lining and protects the steel interior from corrosion by drawing away the metal ions in the water. The anode rod is a long steel wire with aluminum, magnesium or a zinc-aluminum alloy wrapped around it that screws into the top of the tank. Most water heaters come with an aluminum anode rod, but the type of anode rod you choose should be based on your local water quality.
In most cases, anode rods last about five to six years, and it’s important to replace them regularly. If you don’t, the anode rod will deplete completely and leave your water heater vulnerable to corrosive damage. You can also opt for a powered anode rod, which is a much more expensive option but typically lasts as long as your water heater.
If you’re not sure if the anode rod needs to be replaced, look for signs of wear and tear. These may include a bubbling sound during heating, rust spots on the tank and pooling water underneath the water heater. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s best to contact a professional to inspect the anode rod and make the necessary repairs.
Anode rods are available in a variety of styles and materials, and the one you select should be based on your home’s water condition and your budget. Aluminum rods are the best choice for hard water, while magnesium is a good option for soft water. If you have smelly water, a zinc-aluminum rod is best because it helps reduce the foul odor caused by sulfur bacteria in the water.
Changing the anode rod is a fairly straightforward job for a technician. The first step is to drain the tank below the anode rod and drain the hex nut holding the rod in place. After that, the technician can unscrew the anode rod from the hex nut and screw in the new rod. Some types of anode rods are flexible, which makes them easy to insert in locations that have limited headspace.
Dip Tube
The dip tube is a long, straight piece of plastic that connects the cold water inlet on the bottom of your gas or electric hot water heater to the top of the tank. It transfers incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank and helps heat it more quickly. If it breaks, you’ll likely notice that your showers are lukewarm or that your home is short of hot water. The dip tube is easily replaced with a kit you can purchase at your local hardware store or big box home improvement center.
Modern dip tubes are usually made from PEX-type plastic and are able to resist corrosion better than older metal ones. They also tend to last longer than their metallic counterparts. But they’re still subject to corrosion, especially if your water is acidic. Over time, the dip tube can disintegrate or break loose at its connection with the inlet port nipple. The resulting fragments of plastic can clog strainers and other points of use and can lead to a shortage of hot water.
When your dip tube is disintegrating, a simple solution is to drain the water heater and replace it. Before you begin, make sure that the circuit breaker that supplies power to your unit is off and that the water supply valve is closed. Then disconnect the cold water supply line and drain the tank to remove any sloughed-off plastic pieces.
Once you’ve drained the tank, you can disconnect the new tube and install it in place of the old one. Before you do, though, be sure to choose a replacement that’s made from durable materials such as cross-linked polyethylene (PEX). It may cost a bit more upfront, but it will withstand the high temperatures inside the water heater and provide a long lifespan.
Push the new tube in all the way until it’s flush with the tank. Then turn on the water heater to refill it and restore power or the gas dial back to its normal operating position. Once the tank is full, turn on a faucet and check for hot water to ensure the new dip tube has been properly installed.
Pressure Valve
The temperature and pressure valve (known as the T&P valve) is one of the most important safety features on your water heater. This is the valve that prevents your water heater from building up excess pressure inside of it, which can cause a tank rupture and possible injury to you or your family.
The T&P valve is a metal or plastic pipe that runs down the length of your water heater tank. It is attached to a discharge tube, which is responsible for routing the hot water that is released from the T&P valve to an appropriate discharge location. The T&P valve will activate when the water temperature or pressure inside of the water heater exceeds safe levels.
It is recommended that you test your T&P valve at least once a year. This will ensure that it is working properly and that it won’t get “stuck”. The best way to test your T&P valve is to lift the lever so that a small amount of water (about a quarter cup) discharges into a bucket. When the lever is released, it should snap back quickly to its original position. If it doesn’t, then your valve may be stuck open and needs to be replaced.
If you aren’t comfortable testing your T&P valve yourself, a plumber can do it for you. To do this, they will need to power down your water heater and drain it before they can test the valve. A plumber will also be able to fix your T&P valve if it is stuck open or closed.
Before you start testing your T&P valve, you should have the following tools on hand: a pipe wrench, a tubing cutter, pliers, a PVC glue gun with a couple of spools of PTFE tape, and a proper replacement valve for your water heater. Before screwing in a new valve, make sure to wrap the threaded end of the discharge tube with PTFE tape in the opposite direction as that of the old tube. Then, screw in the new valve and carefully tighten it. Once it’s securely screwed in, run a strip of PTFE tape over the top of the valve to prevent corrosion.