Water heaters are a handy piece of technology that helps us to live more comfortably in the modern world. Humans use hot water for just about anything, from washing hands, dishwashing, laundry, showers, and more. If you own a home, it is common that you will have questions about your water heater. When your water heater is not providing hot water or is not functioning properly, it can disrupt your day.
Here is a comprehensive list of the most common water heater questions. If you have had an issue with your heater for longer than 48 hours, you should call a licensed plumber before significant damage can be done.
1- What Is The Best Water Heater Temperature?
Hot water can be extremely dangerous and water heaters can heat water to extremely high temperatures. The standard temperature that your heater could set during installation is 140 degrees. It is best to turn this down to around 120 degrees so as not to experience serious burns when the water is in the hottest setting.
2- Why Do I Keep Running Out Of Hot Water?
There are quite a few reasons that you could be experiencing less hot water. Some common ones could be sediment buildup, the water tank being too small for your home, or the heating element being bad. If your water heater is ten years old or has broken parts, it is time to replace it. Water heaters need to be properly connected to their heat source and run at full capacity for you to have hot water.
S&B Plumbing can provide water heater maintenance and drain out old water and build-up. Handling water heaters on your own is not recommended, as they require experience to properly reinstall. We also offer water heater replacement at a discounted price for our customers.
3- What Is The Most Common Problem With Water Heaters?
Problems with plumbing can occur at any time and are often accompanied by odors, lack of water pressure, or increases in your energy and water bills. The most common problems with water heaters include:
- A stuck valve
- Overheating
- Improper water pressure
- Leaking water tank
- Bad gasket
- Faulty temperature and pressure release valve
- Loose heating element bolts
These problems can cause you to have dirty water, lower water flow, or a lack of hot water altogether.
4- Signs Your Water Heater Is Going To Explode?
If your water heater has been leaking water or is making loud popping noises, it might be ready to explode. If you are having these problems or other issues with your heater, shut off the heater immediately and call a plumber. Not only can an explosion of a heater cause damage to your home, but it could also injure or kill occupants of your home.
Trust S&B to come to inspect your water heater before the plumbing emergency happens. If you suspect that anything, no matter how small, might be wrong with the heater, call our professional team.
5- Why Does The Water Take So Long To Heat Up?
Sediment buildup is usually the culprit of this water heater problem. This usually results in lukewarm water or the water taking especially long to get hot. To solve this problem, drain your water heater and clean the tank. An experienced plumber can take care of the water heater draining for you.
Sometimes, if your faucet or shower head is far away from the water heater the hot water may take longer to flow. The delay in hot water can simply be caused by the time it takes to get there.
6- How Close Can Things Be To Water Heaters?
Having objects too close to your water heater can be a fire hazard. You should keep baskets, storage items, and other objects at least 18 inches away from the heater at all times. Placing objects out of sight might seem like a smart idea, but water heaters can cause a fire with no warning and you will be dealing with significant damage.
7- When Should I Call A Plumber?
Having a plumber come to your home and fitting maintenance issues into your busy schedule may be annoying, but calling a plumber once you notice problems is the best course of action. Plumbers can assess problems and solve them before you cause damage to your home. Being without water is not something you want to deal with. Handling the problem before it becomes too large can get your home back to functioning order, sooner.
Plumbing With S&B
The water heater in your home can often get taken for granted. We can help improve the quality of your water heater and plumbing in your home. With our quick service, you will be back to normal in a short time. S&B Plumbing knows that plumbing issues are not fun to deal with. We want your family to feel safe and comfortable in your home. Working with us gives you a great customer experience and gives you peace of mind knowing that your plumbing is in proper working order.
Since 1985, we have been serving the Northern Utah areas. Contact a trusted and licensed plumber today.