Water Heaters 101

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

Leaking Hot Water Tank

Your hot water heater or tank is one of the most vital parts of your home or business. Here are a few tips on what to look for if your hot water heater fails you.

As homeowners, we do not like thinking about things in our homes breaking down. But the reality is that eventually, everything in our home will need to be replaced. There will come a time when things start to not work properly and reach the end of their life. However, regular inspection and maintenance of your home and business systems can help to prevent costly expenses down the road.

One of the most telltale signs you need a new electric hot water heater is that the water will be colder than usual. This may not always mean that the water is necessarily cold. You may notice that the water does not get past a lukewarm temperature. The water may also get colder faster. For instance, you may usually take a fifteen-minute hot shower and have no issues with the temperature of the water changing. Then, you may only be able to take a five-minute shower because the temperature of the water just will not stay warm. This could be true for the faucets or the shower.

The first thing you want to do is check to make sure you do not have any leaks coming from your water heater. If you do find a leak, locate the water shut off to the tank and turn it off.  A small leak typically does not affect performance; however, it could lead to other issues such as mold or water damage. One of the most common problems with an electric water heater with a tank, is that the bottom of the tank can rust and break apart. Gallons of water will spill out without warning. Shut off the water supply to the tank and call your local SERVPRO team.

If you don’t have any leaks it could be electrical. There are several key components to your water heater that can fail that will keep you from having hot water at the tap. There are three major parts that can fail that will keep the water from getting hot: the upper element, the lower element, and the thermostat. The elements are metal bars that heat up from the electricity that is fed to the water heater and the thermostat keeps the water temperature heated accurately.

Before you get near your water heater be sure to shut off the electricity and water supply to it. Turn off the power at the breaker box to ensure there is no electricity running through the equipment before any service or trouble shooting is done.

Remember if you have any questions or need water extraction or mitigation, call your SERVPRO of Mayes and Wagoner Counites, 918-486-1055.