Making sure you have a reliable water heater is probably one of the most essential components in your home. Your water heater provides hot water for showers, dishwashing, laundry, and so much more. When something goes wrong, it can disrupt your entire life. Fortunately, with water heater repair services in Memphis, you can discover common water heater issues and get them fixed early.
Many of the most common issues are minor things that, when handled early, can help ensure your water heater lasts longer. While this may not always be the case, being proactive and aware just might save your water heater. In this guide, we will walk you through seven common water heater problems and explain how our professional repair services address these problems.
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No Hot Water? Contact Us for Water Heater Repair Services in Memphis
Perhaps one of the most common water heater issues is when you have no hot water. You turn on the tap, expecting to take a nice warm shower, but instead, you get hit with cold water. What’s the deal? No hot water is an obvious first sign that something is wrong.
The question is, what is the problem? These are some common causes:
- The pilot light went out
- You have a faulty heating element
- Thermostat failure
- Valve malfunction
In gas water heaters, the pilot light can go out. If you have a gas heater, this is the first thing to check. If you have an electric heater, checking the heating element is a good first step.
How do we fix it? Our technicians start with a diagnostic check. For gas heaters, we will safely relight your pilot light if it is out. We will inspect the thermocouple and the gas valve. For electric models, we will test your heating elements and replace them if needed. In addition, we calibrate and replace the thermostat as needed. This ensures accurate temperature control through the water heater.
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Not Enough Hot Water
Maybe when you turn the tap on, the water is plenty warm. However, you notice that you never seem to have enough hot water. It always runs out quickly, possibly quicker than it has in the past. Running out of hot water is certainly frustrating during showers or when multiple people need to use hot water.
Some common causes include an undersized tank, sediment buildup inside the tank, a malfunctioning thermostat, or a malfunctioning heating element.
To fix this common issue, we first assess whether the size of your tank is appropriate for the needs of your household. If you seem to run out of hot water too quickly, it may be time to upgrade to a larger tank. However, that is not always the case. If the system is appropriate for the household needs, we will flush the tank to remove sediment that may be keeping the water from building up as it should. If necessary, we will repair or replace faulty components to restore full heating power.
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Water Is Too Hot? You Need Water Heater Repair Services in Memphis
Some homeowners have issues with the water getting too hot. The problem with extremely hot water is that it can pose a safety risk, especially for children or seniors in the home. This problem is most often related to your thermostat. Check the thermostat to see if it is set too high, and be mindful of recommended settings.
If your setting is correct, you can try turning it down further to see if this resolves the issue. Otherwise, there may be a thermostat malfunction causing your problem. We will test and reset your thermostat to the optimal temperature, which is usually around 120°F. If the thermostat is unresponsive or is not reading accurately, we will replace it to ensure safe and comfortable water temperatures in your home.
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Discolored or Rusty Water
If your hot water has a reddish-brown tint or a metallic taste, there may be corrosion within the tank affecting your water. This issue typically happens because of rust inside the tank, a corroded anode rod, or an aging tank that may need replacing.
We will start by draining and inspecting the tank. Often, replacing the anode rod can resolve the issue and extend the lifespan of your tank. If rust has compromised your tank, you may need a replacement.
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Strange Noises
Is your tank making unusual noises? Unusual sounds like popping, rumbling, or banging are not just annoying sounds that the tank is supposed to make. These strange sounds might actually be a sign that your water heater is struggling. Describe the sound to your water heater repair service person, and they might know right where to look for a problem.
Here are a few common causes of unusual noises:
- Sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank
- Water boiling under the sediment layer
- Expanding or contracting pipes
We will flush your tank and assess it to determine what the problem is. Flushing can remove sediment and mineral deposits that may cause the noises. After flushing, if the noise persists, we’ll inspect for structural damage or excess pressure. Adjustments, repairs, or replacement may be necessary.
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Water Leaks
Puddles around your water heater are more than just an inconvenience; they are a sign of a water leak that can eventually lead to serious damage if not addressed. These leaks often come from loose drain valves or fittings, a leak with a pressure relief valve, or cracks and corrosion within the tank.
When there is clearly a leak, we will inspect all external valves and connections for tightness and signs of wear. If the leak originates from the pressure relief valve, we check system pressure and temperature. Unfortunately, if the tank itself is leaking due to internal corrosion, it may be time for replacement.
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Pilot Light Keeps Going Out
If you’re having trouble keeping your pilot light lit, and it won’t stay lit even when you just relit it, there are often reasons for this occurring. The pilot light continually going out is a sign of dirty or broken parts, drafts that are blowing out the flame, or potentially a faulty gas control valve.
We will clean or replace the thermocouple and check for proper flame positioning. If necessary, we can replace the gas control valve. We will also inspect surrounding areas for drafts or ventilation issues that might be extinguishing your flame.
Water Heater Repair Services in Memphis with Stewart Plumbing Home Services
We know that water heaters work hard behind the scenes every single day. Understanding the signs of trouble and knowing how they might be fixed can help you act fast and avoid costly breakdowns. When you have a water heater issue, give us a call at Stewart Plumbing Home Services and let us help you get it taken care of.
