So, what to do if your water heater fails? While many people would simply call a plumber and have him or her come out as soon as possible, others will try and work out a fix themselves. While some do have the skills needed to install a heater replacement, most will end up doing quite well with the simple task. Here’s a look at what you can do when your heater fails.
The very first thing that you should do is turn the power off to the water heater. This is often enough to make the tank fill up with warm water and cause the device to fail. If the tank isn’t full, there is no hot water to circulate in the unit. If it’s completely empty, the system will stop circulating hot water. Doing this when your water heater is full of warm water will likely result in your hot water not being heated as much as when only a few gallons are left in the tank.
Before you do anything else, you need to make sure that your tank is truly full. You can check this by looking at the bottom of the water heater itself. If it is visibly empty, it is likely that the tank was filled to the point that it was starting to fail.
You may then begin working to repair or replace the water heater. A worn tank can easily be refilled. In fact, you probably won’t even notice that the tank is worn until you turn on the hot water and see that the water doesn’t heat as quickly as it should. While this is definitely an issue, it is often far more serious than merely having a dirty tank. In this case, you are dealing with a physical defect that is causing the water heater to fail. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to solve the problem.
One option is to have the water heater serviced. While having a professional look at the problem is usually a bit more costly than doing it yourself, you at least know the basics of what to do if your water heater stops working properly. Of course, a professional can also tell you which type of water heater is causing the issue. Many people believe that the most common cause is a low level of air in the tank. If you take one of these courses, you should be able to fix the problem fairly easily.
One of the easiest fixes to a water heater problem is to fill the tank with distilled water and let it sit for a while. If the temperature in the tank drops below normal, simply add some more distilled water until the temperature is back where it needs to be. This may sound odd, but it is actually an effective solution. You may also want to check the heating element.
Another option is to have the water heater serviced directly by a professional. You will need to drain the tank and remove any sediments before you even attempt this process. You should drain the entire tank, but make sure that you don’t get any suds from the bottom. Then, you will need to replace the heating element, but first turn the power off to the heater. Finally, you should hook up the new heating element to the tank. This step may seem like a lot of work, but in reality it is very easy and quick.
If none of these methods solves your problem, then you should consider hiring a plumber to come out and take a look. Some plumbers are able to pinpoint the problem and fix it fairly quickly. If you have time, you should look online to find reviews of different plumbers. Find someone who has experience dealing with this. Https://www.fixitrightplumbing.com.au/blocked-drains-melbourne/ is a good place to reference for helpful information.
A water heater is an essential appliance that needs to function properly in your home. We all rely on it to work as it should in the morning or night. We need it for showering, washing dishes, and everything else. Don’t ignore the problems of a broken water heater, but hopefully these tips will help you in the right direction.
