Keep Your Hot Water Heater Hot

Winter is on the way, and that means cold. Nothing helps ease the blow of getting out of your warm bed in the morning than stepping into a hot shower. Ah, the feeling of warmth as the water flows and the steam rises. Maybe you really can face the cold day ahead. But what happens when you step into that shower and realize that the water is running cold? Or, worse yet, when the hot water ends in the middle of lathering up your hair? What do you do when your hot water heater stops working?

Most hot water heaters last between fifteen and twenty years. This can make it easy to take them for granted. Honestly, most people don’t even think about the hot water tank until it stops working and by then, it’s too late. Fortunately, there are some warning signs that you can look out for when the tank is getting close to breaking down. By knowing the signs, you can take the proactive steps of replacing the tank before you end up in a cold shower.

• No hot water
• Rusty or muddy looking water
• Metallic taste to the water
• Unusual loud noises coming form the tank
• Water leakage

Why It Fails

There are also a few reasons why your water heater could malfunction that don’t always mean that a replacement is necessary. Your unit may have an interruption in power, such as a tripped circuit breaker, a disconnected gas valve, or even an unlit pilot light. Check to make sure that all of these things are in order before you panic. When the hot water runs out quickly or does not last as long as it used to, the culprit could be mineral scale buildup inside your tank. Draining the tank completely can help. If the water temperature is set too high, this could cause a problem with the pressure relief valve. Be sure that your tank is set on a lower temperature and check to see if the pressure valve is broken and needs to be replaced.

Of course, there are other problems that can cause the tank to malfunction, from gaskets to thermostats, but it’s best to call a professional plumbing service to handle these jobs. At Cardigan, our Master Plumbers can diagnose and repair any problem that your hot water has. And if it can’t be fixed, we can replace the whole thing quickly and efficiently. Serving the Crofton area for over 40 years, you know that you’re getting an experienced professional and excellent service.

If you think that our hot water heater is about to go on the fritz, or if it already has, call us. We’ll get that shower hot again so that you can face the holiday rush with a smile.