Many people take their water heaters for granted and don’t pay enough attention to them until things really start to go wrong, but living with a faulty water heater can be a more than inconvenient; it can be dangerous. Here are some signs that your water heater needs to be looked at by a plumber. Leaking Water If water is leaking from your drain valve or attached plumbing, then have the parts inspected by a plumber to evaluate whether repair or replacement is most practical. Leaks from the temperature-pressure relief (TPR) valve are signs of a serious pressure-related problem in your tank. Only a licensed plumber should perform TPR valve repairs, as they may be very dangerous. Water is Too Hot If your home’s water is too hot, there are a number of possible explanations. It may be a problem with the water heater’s temperature settings, but it could also be a faulty TPR valve that isn’t properly releasing heat and water pressure buildup. Strange Smelling Water Smelly water can have a number of causes, but is commonly caused by parts of your water heater corroding over time. Your water heater’s anodes are designed to corrode in order to counteract other chemical reactions in your water heater. When your water starts to stink, call a plumber to inspect and replace your water heater anodes to get rid of the smell. Strange Noises Banging and gurgling sounds are signs of wear on your tank’s internal components. Typically, these noises are caused by mineral deposits expanding as your water heats up. Boiling noises indicate that your water is getting too hot, so call a plumber to inspect your water heater immediately. The best way to avoid these problems is to have your water heater maintained and inspected by an expert plumber. Contact F.H. Furr Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. for the highest quality plumbing repair in the Fairfax, VA area. Call (703) 496-5016 to learn more about our residential and commercial services today!
Some water heaters make a hissing sound when they first turn on, but if you are experiencing a constant bubbling or gurgling noise, then you may be dealing with a sediment problem. In this video from eHow.com, professional plumber Chris Spannagel shares tips on how to troubleshoot your water heater for sediment buildup. It is important to perform a “blow out” on your tank once a year. A blow-out uses pressurized air to dislodge sediment and calcium deposits. What happens when you don’t perform annual maintenance on your water heater? Find out with this full clip. Whether you are looking for a new water heater or you are just trying to schedule routine maintenance, the professional plumbers with F.H. Furr provide the services for your needs. For products, services, locations, or to schedule a consultation, visit our website today.