Common Issues Homeowners Face with Water Heaters

You rely on a plentiful supply of hot water for showering, cleaning, hand washing, and other daily activities. Water heating accounts for 18% of your utility costs, explains the Department of Energy. A problem with your water heater will immediately impact your comfort, health, and wallet. Read on to learn about some common issues homeowners in Springfield, VA have with water heaters.

Not Enough or No Hot Water

It’s an unpleasant surprise to be in the middle of a hot shower and get blasted with cold water. It’s also inconvenient to turn on the hot water faucet only to have cold water come out of it. Insufficient or no hot water is a common problem, and it often results from a malfunctioning heating element, thermocouple, pilot light or burner. These issues require attention from expert technicians.

Foul-smelling Water

The hot water shouldn’t have an odor any different from your cold water. If you start to notice a foul smell to your hot water, there could be contamination in the water heater. The warm, dark, and wet environment of a water heater tank is an ideal place for bacteria to grow. Rust or mineral buildup from hard water could also cause foul odors. If the cold water also smells bad, it’s probably an issue with the city water supply, not your water heater.

Leaky Tank

A leaking hot water tank is one of the most common issues faced by homeowners. A typical water heater tank has a lifespan of about 10 years. After this amount of time, minerals and oxygen in the water cause rust and corrosion. If enough of the metal tank is corroded, water starts leaking through the little crack. There’s no way to repair a leaky water tank. You’ll need a new water heater.

To learn more about the common issues homeowners face with water heaters, check out Commonwealth Cooling & Heating, LLC’s water heater repair services, or call our expert technicians today.