Broken Water Heater?

A malfunction or a broken water heater could quickly increase your power or gas bill significantly. Water heaters with too much sediment at the base of the tank need more energy to efficiently heat the water, resulting in an over-priced monthly bill. Oftentimes the problem is not noticed until a huge surge in the monthly bill occurs. There are ways to fix this and keep your water heater working at top performance.

One way to help prevent a buildup of sediment is to periodically “cleaning” your tank. This should include running a special tank cleaning agent through the system as well as emptying the sediment chamber. Many gas water heaters come with a special tool to do this, but it isn’t necessary for every model. If you are unsure how to do this safely, contact a licensed contractor or your local home improvement store.

In most cases, the problem lies in the anode rod, which is the connection point for the hot water supply to the heater. The anode rod is typically made of cast iron and wears out after years of use. Over time, rust builds up on it and stops the flow of hot water to the heater. This causes the hot water pressure to decrease and in turn, makes the anode rod work harder to maintain the proper pressure.

Once the anode rod has died, the flow of hot water stops completely. If there was no water heater inspection done, then this could be a major safety issue. The pilot light is the next critical piece that needs to be inspected on a regular basis. The pilot light is usually located above the flue and is responsible for heating the interior of the tank. If there is a problem with the pilot light, the interior of the heating tank may begin to rapidly heat up and cause the interior of the flue to burst. In a worst-case scenario, if the pilot light fails and the interior of the flue begins to burn, the fire would destroy the entire tank of heating oil.

When cleaning out the tank of a hot water heater, it is important to realize that the interior of any hot water heater tank is filled with water and chemicals. These chemicals can over time become damaged and Leach into the water heater tank. If left unchecked, these chemicals can actually Leach into the water supply that feeds the heater and can result in a complete fuel failure.

There are many ways to inspect your hot water heating components, but it is best to hire a professional to do so. When it comes to repairing hot water tanks, heating components and other parts on your home are safe is vital. Do not try to fix the issue yourself. If you are not certain about a particular part or component on your heater, it is best to leave the task up to a professional. Even if you think the part is damaged, calling a professional will ensure that the repair is completed safely and without issues. Contact us today for any water heater issues you may be having.