Signs of water heater failure

 

Is your water heater not working properly? Does the water seem to take forever to heat up? Or does the hot water suddenly turn cold without warning? One of the worst things to experience is a lack of hot water on a cold winter's day. Nobody likes to take a shower with lukewarm or even cold water in the middle of winter, so it is best to keep an eye out for signs that your water heater is not working as it should.

Knowing the telltale signs of a malfunctioning water heater means you can make a quick repair and restore hot water to your home.

Warning signs of a faulty water heater

There are several signs to look out for that indicate that the water heater is not working as it should:

Lukewarm or cold water. One potential sign of a water heater failure is a lack of hot water. If you notice that the water temperature throughout the house does not exceed a certain temperature and produces semi-warm or lukewarm water, it may be time to have it inspected.

Hot water does not last long. Have you ever been in the middle of a hot shower and suddenly the water turns cold? Being without hot water, especially on a cold winter's day, is not something most of us homeowners want to put up with. Depending on the age and condition of the water heater, the unit may only need a repair of one of the heating elements. If the water heater no longer produces hot water or if the hot water runs out faster than usual, it is probably a good idea to have the unit inspected by a licensed plumber.

Absence of hot water. The absence of hot water in the entire house can be a sign that the water heater is faulty or that it is a minor problem, such as the pilot light reigniting. Start by inspecting the unit. If the pilot flame is not 'lit', this could be the problem. However, if the pilot flame is lit and you are still not getting hot water, further diagnosis may be necessary. The correct diagnosis of the problem is half the problem! This is why it is always advisable to have the water heater assessed by a licensed plumber when problems occur.

Noise. The water heater should make little or no noise. However, if you hear noise coming from the water heater, this could mean several things, the most common of which is limescale build-up.

Limescale build-up. Over the years, water heaters can accumulate scale or sediment that can interfere with the efficiency of the heating process. If not removed and cleaned, these sediments can reduce the life of the heater. For this reason, most water heater companies recommend that the water heater be flushed and serviced annually. This does not automatically mean that the unit is faulty, so it is advisable to have a technician assess the condition of the unit.

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