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How to Know if your Water Heater is Failing

A lack of hot water is not the only sign of a water heater issue. When your water heater Houston fails, it can present itself in many ways. Some signs of water heater failure can be obvious but others require professional inspection to be detected.  Paying attention to the following warning signs will allow you to take action quickly as well as avoid expensive repairs and equipment replacement.

Discolored Water

Your water heater has a component called an anode rod. This component is sometimes called sacrificial part as the rod’s point will eventually wear down and rusts faster than the tank itself. The anode can be made from materials such as magnesium that helps in keeping the water inside the tank in a chemical condition that prevents the tank from being corroded. However, the anode usually needs to be replaced at least two times over the tank’s life.

Strange Noises

If your water heater is producing popping or rumbling noises, this could indicate it is failing. Thus, it should be time to call an experienced plumber. Also, mineral buildup and hard water can cause these noises. The minerals that form a layer on the water heater’s surface cause the popping noise. Unfortunately, a heater that products these strange noises despite periodic sediment flushing may be on the verge of leak or crack.

Foul Hot Water Odor

Sometimes, your hot water may smell bad. The odors can be caused by many things. Whether it smells like metal or a rotten egg, it has to be addressed right away. If it smells or tastes metal, it could come from iron pipes that leached the metal into the water. This can occur if you have old plumbing. But if the water smells like rotten eggs could be due to a problem inside the water heater. The water’s anaerobic bacteria can interact with the anode rod and create this issue. The easiest solution is to clean the tank and replace the anode rod with a different material.

Leaking Tank

The presence of a damp spot or puddle on the floor indicates a leaking water heater tank. Your water heater can leak because of sediment buildup, deterioration, or lack of maintenance. If the leak is occurring around the seams, you might need to replace the tank. But, if you notice the temperature/pressure relief valve is dripping and pooling around the tank’s bottom, this could mean a water pressure problem is developing inside the tank.

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