Even the best water heaters get old and eventually break down. Many more problems are caused by lack of proper maintenance and timely repairs because homeowners don’t know the early warning signs of a problem. It’s important to take the time to learn a little bit about your heating system, so you can recognize when something isn’t right and avoid safety risks by contacting a professional for a timely solution.
Consistent Leaking
Water pooling around the base of the heater is a cause for alarm and one of the common causes of service requests. A real leak is definitely a problem that needs to be fixed. However, before calling for help, investigate to determine if the leaks are coming directly from the water heater or from another source like a nearby pipe or connection.
The Water Fails to Get Hot
Those who love hot showers are often the first to notice and complain when something isn’t right with the water heater. If you find yourself waiting longer and longer for your shower to produce appropriately steamy water, then it might be time for a maintenance check. The possible causes of this problem depend on the unit’s size, design and age, so it often requires a direct investigation to examine and test individual components.
Weird Noises or Smells
Loud banging or booming sounds should be a red flag for pretty much any appliance, but especially for furnaces and water heaters. Likewise, any unusual odor should be met with extreme suspicion, especially if there’s any hint of smoke or fire in the scent. Either of these symptoms can indicate a serious problem with your water heater, so you need to turn off the power to the unit until you can schedule a service appointment.
Scorching or Burning
Along with strange smells and noises, always be on the lookout for any signs of scorching around the water heater and other appliances. Dark spots on any of the surfaces, especially near power connections and outlets, are very serious. Also, check for signs of melted plastic around any areas that house electronics or wires.
Face Water Heater Problems Head-On
Don’t mess around with water heater problems. It’s almost always the right call to contact a professional if you notice any of the warning signs discussed above. At the very least, letting a problem go on can cause more damage and only increase the eventual cost of repairs. At worst, it could become a safety issue that puts your house at risk.
Let Alabama Home Pros be your go-to plumbing provider in Montgomery, AL when you need water heater service.