You’re awake and out of bed. Ready for a great day at the office. A fun day with the kids. Eighteen holes of golf. Or determined to complete those errands you’ve been putting off.
What do all these and other daily activities have in common? Usually, you take a nice hot shower first. Except, of course, when that fateful morning arrives when there IS no hot water…or at least not enough.
What causes a water heater to falter or fail? Let’s have a look:
- The pilot has gone out in your gas water heater and won’t re-ignite. The gas valve could have been inadvertently shut off, the thermocouple could be dirty or bent, or the pilot may not be getting enough gas. In that instance, the solution could be as simple as adjusting the pilot knob. Or, if your system has an igniter switch, make sure the switch is getting voltage. If not, it needs to be repaired or replaced. If you have an electric water heater, the heating element can burn out from internal tank corrosion. Electrical components also can fail over time.
- If the water is too hot or too cold, the usual cause is a damaged thermostat; or maybe someone adjusted it up or down. It’s also possible the unit’s flue is partially blocked and not allowing proper air flow.
- A hard water supply can eventually corrode the inside of your tank. Unless your tank is routinely flushed and re-filled, it can eventually wear out. At that point, the system will need to be replaced.
- If water is leaking from the top of your electric water heater, the cold inlet or hot outlet pipes may be loose, the temperature and release valve may have failed, or an inlet valve may be leaking. Each such problem can easily be fixed.
And now for the good news: annual water heater inspections can prevent most water heater problems, thus providing you with added comfort, convenience, and savings.
Is something up (or down) with your water heater now? If so, contact Eagle Service Company for expert problem diagnose and always the right solution.
