4 Common Reasons to Need Hot Water Heater Repair in Birmingham, Alabama

Posted by birminghamplumbin on March 23rd, 2021

The hot water heater in your home is used on a daily basis. You need to shower, clean your clothes, wash dishes, and stay clean and healthy. Clearly, if your hot water heater breaks, this is going to really impact your ability to do many of your needed daily tasks. That is why it's best to keep an eye out for common reasons a hot water heater breaks down in order to avoid them:

#1 You have sediment build up. How long has it been since you've flushed out the hot water tank? If you're not sure, it's time to do it right away.It’s best to empty the water tank and clean it out at least once a year. Leaving excessive sediment to collect in the tank can cause corrosion to happen sooner, meaning you'll need to replace your tank all together sooner rather than later.

#2 Your anode rods are rusted. Is it time to replace the anode rods? Have you ever replaced the anode rods? What even are the anode rods?!They're actually pretty easy to understand. Water causes rust, and rust causes erosion. Your anode rods are put in place to rust instead of the tank. They are made of magnesium, zinc, or aluminum around a steel core. The anode rods are there to react and corrode in place of the metal within the water storage tank. These rods will last for three to five years before needing a replacement. Hiring a plumber to inspect the anode rods will tell you for sure if yours are ready to go. If it’s time for a replacement, it's a simple task for them to handle.

#3 There's a broken heating element. Your water heater is equipped with two heating elements that are tasked with heating incoming water in the water tank. Once a heating element begins to malfunction, you will have little to no hot water. You'll notice it when your showers are cold and your dishes don't get clean! This issue may be produced by a blown out pilot light, a malfunctioning gas valve, or a damaged thermocouple. Each of these components is able to be easily fixed by a professional. Call a licensed plumber and let them know you need a water heater repair because your water is cold.

#4 Your tank is old. Nothing lasts forever, not even hot water heaters in Birmingham. Typically a residential hot water heater lasts between six and 13 years. If your tank is more than ten years old, you are on borrowed time! This means you may need a replacement instead of a repair.

Be careful about doing any of these important tasks on your own. Always consult a professional plumber who handles hot water heaters in Birmingham to do these tasks for you. Trying to make these a DIY task may mean you accidentally scald yourself with too hot water or cause damage to your plumbing system.