As a homeowner, your water heater is important since it provides hot water throughout the home. When it is not working properly, you won't have hot water to shower with or to rinse stubborn stains out of dishes. Here are five common problems with gas water heaters and how you can work to resolve them:

  1. No Hot Water: One problem you can run into is that there is no hot water in your home at all. Once you notice this problem, you will want to check the pilot flame. If it is off, then you can move on to retightening the gas thermocouple, which is located near the pilot flame. If the flame doesn't light once you retighten it, then you will probably need to replace it. 
  2. There's Not Enough Hot Water: If you are able to get some hot water, but it doesn't stay on for very long, then you may have a broken dip tube, which can cause cold and hot water to mix together. If this is the case, then you need to replace the dip tube by undoing the cold water inlet and pipe nipple, locating the dip tube from there and removing it in order to put in a new one.
  3. Brown Colored Water: If you are receiving adequate hot water in your home, but it is brown colored, then you probably need to replace the anode rod. The anode rod is what ensures that rusting in the water heater is prevented. If the anode rod has failed, then you are going to see brown colored water in your home that indicates rust. The anode rod is located on the top of your water heater.
  4. A Foul Smell: If the hot water in your home smells foul, then there is probably bacteria growing in the tank. If this is the case, then you are probably going to need a professional to flush out the tank and refill it. Once this has been done, and there is still a foul smell, then you are going to have to replace the tank altogether. 
  5. A Popping Sound: Another reason to flush the water heater is because of a popping sound that you hear. This indicates that the water heater is overheating and the popping sound that you hear is boiling water.

Before you start any of these repairs on your own, be sure that you shut off the water supply and power to the water tank. This ensures safe repairs. If you aren't sure what the problem is, or if you aren't comfortable doing certain repairs on your own, then be sure to call in a professional from a business like Brother's Plumbing.

Share