Water heaters are an important household appliance. They provide hot water all around the year. It comes in handy, particularly in the winter season when it’s freezing outside. Water heaters are a must in households with small children as they need a good hot shower to help them have better sleep. In other words, a water heater is a must. However, they must be maintained properly by checking all fixtures and connections. Furthermore, since water heaters are used frequently they tend to face some issues. Here in the article, we will discuss DIY water heater repair.
Tough professional help is required to fix a heater, some of the repairs can be managed. We will take you through a detailed guide on how to repair a water heater?
Types of water heaters
The two most common types of water heater that you can find in a household are gas and electrical. Both these water heaters function in the same manner. The only difference between the two water heaters is the fuel. The electric water heater runs on electricity. On the other hand, a gas water heater runs with the help of gas supplied to your house.
Either way, both types of water heaters require some kind of energy to function.
Common problems and Water Heater Repair
1. Lack of hot water in the either house
The primary problem that you may face with a water heater is no hot water throughout the house. As the main function of a water heater is to provide hot water, if it fails in its basic function then it is a big deal. However, before panicking check the water heater to see if it is functioning properly.
Furthermore, in the case of a gas water heater check to see if the pipe connection is proper and working. On the other hand, in the case of an electric water heater check the electricity connection to the water heater. The primary source of energy for the heater is gas or electricity hence the flow of fuel to the appliance is important.
Apart from this, check to see if the circuit of the water heater has tripped. In case it has tripped then turn off the switch and turn it on to make it start working. Also, in case it has not tripped the next step to do is to see the temperature of the appliance. Make sure you set it to a high temperature. To do so, turn the breaker off to the heater circuit in the service panel.
Then, remove the access panel and then remove the insulation, and the plastic safety guard, and make sure not to touch any wires. Finally, turn the red button that is located on the upper part of the thermostat. Replace all the parts and start the water heater to get hot water. Following these steps will fix the water heater repair. In case it doesn’t, check each element of the heating parts and replace it only when necessary.
Also read: 8 Ways to Unclog a Toilet Bowl without a Plunger
2. Insufficient supply of hot water
The second most common issue that you can face with a water heater is an insufficient supply of hot water. In such an issue the steps to be followed for water heater testing are listed below.
The main reason for the insufficient supply of hot water can be the wrong setting of temperature. Check the thermostats of the water heated and set the temperature to a proper setting to get sufficiently hot water. Apart from this one other reason for the low hot water supply can be the size of the heater. The appliance may not be big enough for the entire family, in such a situation make sure to replace it with a bigger one.
In addition to the above-mentioned issue, one other reason for the low water supply is the accumulation of sediment. Over time when you use a water heater, especially for hard water minerals in if can get gathered in the bottom. This can obstruct the reaching hot water throughout the house. To fix this issue, either get a water softening system or get your heater drained at least once a year.
Finally, the use of multiple outlets for hot water at the same time can affect the flow. Even a huge water heater will not be able to supply hot water at a time in different places. So try and use one or two hot water outlets at a time to fix the insufficient hot water issue or the water heater repair.
3. Hot water not getting supplied to some parts of the house
One other common issue with a water heater is a lack of supply of hot water to some parts of your home. There are four main reasons why you will be facing this issue.
These reasons are mineral deposits in the pipe, the distance of the heater, the issues with plumbing or connection, and finally, frozen pipes.
Mineral deposits in the pipes that connect hot water from the heater are the main reason for not supply of hot water in some parts of the home. So, water heater testing in this situation should be done by checking the pipes. In case they are old and worn out it is time to replace them. Further, the distance of the water heater can be far from some parts of the house and by the time water reaches it may have lost the heat.
So, get a new heater and reach such places to fix the issue. Finally, at the time due to extremely cold water pipes froze. The frozen water pipe restricts the flow of hot water to different parts of the home. So, check our pipes often in winters and get them fixed or replaced when necessary.
Bottom Line
To sum it up, water heaters are a good source of hot water supply. In case you come across water heater repair the common issues can be fixed without professional help. Here in the article, we have shared a simple guide to fixing the most common ways for water heater testing and repair.
Also read: How To Install Water Heater?
