A lack of hot water can be confusing, but that’s what we’re here for. Don’t be stuck with a cold shower. By reaching out to our team of certified technicians, you’ll receive the proper maintenance that will help increase the lifespan of your water heater. If it’s time for a replacement, we’ll make sure that’s communicated to you and provide the best solutions going forward.

Water Heater Problems

A malfunctioning water heater can lead to a variety of issues. There’s a possibility you may not realize these issues are related to your home’s water heater. Bell Brothers is here to help you understand common water heater problems so if you do experience them, you’ll be better prepared to notice the signs for repairs or maintenance.

Common water heater problems include:

Lack of Heating or None At All

One issue is noticing lukewarm water or none at all. This inconvenience might be due to a lack of power, tripped switch, sediment buildup, or failed components. Most of your daily responsibilities can take a serious dip in efficiency without adequate heating or a complete lack of it.

The experts at Bell Brothers can accurately diagnose the culprit at hand and respond with proven repair methods to restore the heated water your home needs.

Water is Too Hot

While this may seem like a non-issue to some, water that’s too hot is indeed a water heater problem. Oftentimes, water that’s too hot is related to the unit’s thermostat settings being set too high. This can be adjusted by turning off the water heater’s power and accessing the unit’s access panel. Check to make sure the heat is set no higher than 120°F. If adjustments are needed, use a flathead screwdriver to turn the set screw to your desired temperature.

If this doesn’t fix your water heater problem, reach out to Bell Brothers. Our team can track down the root of the issue and respond with the necessary solution.

Leaks

A leaking water heater often indicates leaky valves, loose connections, and sometimes, damage to the unit. Carefully inspect the unit to try and establish the cause. If there are loose connections, they can be tightened with a wrench and the leak should stop.

In the event of pooling water on top of the water heater, the inlet is likely the reason. Tighten this connection as well. If leaks are coming from the sides of the unit, this is most likely due to corrosion and general damages.

If leaks haven’t stopped after these fixes, Bell Brothers is happy to help. Letting leaks persist can make matters worse, specifically dealing with water damage.

Rusty Colored or Smelly Water

If the water heater’s tank is corroded, rusty-colored water may start to flow out of your home’s faucets. Water dawning the color of a red tint, brown, or yellow can often be traced back to exactly this water heater problem. The anode rod could be causing the corrosion.

If the water heater’s tank contains too much bacteria, your water may smell like rotten eggs. These issues require professional assistance and aren’t pleasant.

The specialists at Bell Brothers are able to provide your water heater with the right solution to eliminate these unpleasant issues.

Tank is Making Unusual Noises

Another common water heater problem is unusual noises. Banging or grinding noises from your water heater often indicate loose components or parts coming in contact with each other. If you notice rumbling, whining, or popping, the water heater could be boiling due to sediment build-up at the bottom of the tank. Large amounts of sediment accumulation can cause the bottom of the unit to overheat—leading to boiling water.

If you notice any of these noises coming from your home’s water heater, reach out to the professionals at Bell Brothers. Issues such as these are best left to the team with the required training and tools to fix them.

Damaged Pressure Relief Valve

Slow leaks from your water heater could be due to a damaged pressure relief valve. Inspect the pressure relief valve and if it’s damaged, turn to Bell Brothers for water heater repair.

Water Heater Troubleshooting

When a water heater problem has manifested itself in your home, more often than not it’s better to leave it to the trained and licensed professionals. This is not only due to the need for a successful repair but for safety reasons. For example, water heaters that use natural gas can prove to be a hazard under certain circumstances.

Until we show up, this is what you can do:

Make sure the unit is properly plugged in.
The unit’s related circuit breaker hasn’t been tripped.
Make sure nearby drains are open before we arrive.

Water Heater Repair Service

Water heaters aren’t anything new. In fact, they’ve been around for over 100 years. You should always have a basic knowledge of your water heater’s key elements since you never know when something can go wrong.

The Tank

If you have a traditional water heater, it will have a tank. This tank is what holds and heats water. You should always rinse your tank twice a year, but it may need a repair or even a replacement if it has significant corrosion or sediment build-up.

Shut-Off Valves

A water heater shut-off valve is what controls the flow of water into your home. If your shut-off valve is corroded or leaking, a repair may be necessary.

Anode Rod

An anode rod is a metal rod that sits inside the water heater tank and helps prevent corrosion. If the anode rod is attracting harmful elements in your tank, your water quality could suffer. Ask a Bell Brothers plumber what rod is best for your water heater.

The Vent

The vent on your water heater may wear out with time, which can be a problem. If your water heater can’t vent, it may overheat, backfire, or leak gas. If you’re not sure whether your vent is damaged or not, we recommend calling a certified plumber.

Thermostat

Has your water been running cold lately? You could have a faulty thermostat. If you think you have a faulty thermostat, make sure you’re regularly flushing your tank and adjusting the temperature to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

When Should I Replace My Water Heater?

Water heater replacement should be considered when:

It has reached 15+ years of service

Most water heaters last between 10-15 years with proper maintenance. Once a water heater reaches this age, it’s more likely to encounter issues and it’ll be better to consider a replacement compared to frequent repairs. Bell Brothers can provide you with the water heater installation services you need if this is the case.

There’s rust in the tank

Rust inside of your water heater’s tank is a sign of wear and tear. This wear and tear can lead to bigger issues like leaks, and eventually water damage if left unaddressed. Too much rust inside the unit’s tank might call for replacement.

Avoid common issues with a water heater’s tank and consider the tankless variety.

It’s noisy

Noisy operation points to large amounts of sediment buildup or faulty components. Depending on the severity of the issue, a replacement of the water heater could be needed.

It collects water underneath

Large amounts of water collecting underneath the unit could be the result of corrosion, damage, or leaking components. Water heater repair may not be enough to fix this issue.

There’s rust in your hot water

With the presence of rust in your hot water, corrosion has likely gotten out of hand within the unit. Replacement may be the best option to eliminate this issue.

Water Heater Repair Des Moines

When you’re deciding who to call for water heater repair in Des Moines and surrounding areas, there’s no better option than Bell Brothers. Our water heater repair services are backed by our trusted professionals who are experienced and trained to utilize proven methods to bring about excellent functionality from the unit and sufficient hot water your home needs.

Schedule Online