Your water heater is reliable… most of the time. It runs constantly, works behind the scenes to keep your home running and keep your water safe. But eventually, it will need to be repaired.
Getting water heater repair in Corona, CA and allowing a professional to handle the job is always the best solution, but before you make the call, you should know what your water heater could be going through.
1. Problem With the Power
It sounds simple, but you should check to see if your gas water heater is properly connected to the gas line. If it’s an electric water heater or a gas-powered one, check the circuit breaker and see if a switch was tripped.
If you’re not sure, but there’s definitely no power going to your water heater (noted by it no longer turning on), a professional will need to diagnose the problem.
2. Pilot Light is Out
Without getting too involved in the inner workings of your water heater, it’s important to know that if your pilot light goes out, a sensor stops the flow of gas. Otherwise, this could lead to dangerous gas buildup in your home and create a massive fire hazard.
The problem might not be with your gas line, but rather with a component called the thermocouple. This is a relatively simple repair and thankfully means nothing is wrong with the tank itself.
3. Internal Thermostat
Your water heater needs something to read the temperature of the water so it knows when to stop heating it. If the thermostat is broken, your water heater could either overheat your water or stop working entirely. This isn’t something that can be replaced via DIY; you need a professional.
4. High Water Pressure
There’s something called a TPR valve that detects pressure. When there’s too much pressure, it shuts the water heater down to prevent it from becoming a safety hazard.
If the TPR valve fails, pressure builds. When your water pressure is too high and there’s nothing to stop it, your water heater can explode.
To be completely clear, a water heater explosion can be fatal. If you have abnormally high water pressure, contact a professional immediately for emergency service.
5. Your Water Temperature is Really, Really High
The TPR in TPR valve stands for temperature and pressure relief. An overheating water heater can pose the same cause for concern as high water pressure. To reiterate, call a professional if this happens.
6. Ignition Failure
Many water heaters use an electric ignition. Even a gas furnace may use electricity to ignite the flame, which is then read by a flame sensor.
The most common issue with ignition failure is a dirty flame sensor. It shuts down when it can’t be read due to a blockage.
Cleaning the flame sensor normally works, but if there isn’t enough voltage for the electric ignition, that’s another problem entirely.
7. Water Leak (From the Drain Valve)
If water is leaking from your drain valve, the problem could be something as simple as a cheap rubber gasket. These need to be replaced from time to time, so this isn’t uncommon or a big deal.
However, a leaking tank indicates your water heater needs to be replaced. If you can see water leaking from the drain valve and nowhere else, you should be okay with a simple gasket replacement and a not-too-concerning call to your plumbing company.
It’s Not Something You Should Wait On
Water heater repair isn’t something you leave until the last second. Get your water heater repaired sooner rather than later so you don’t run into major issues, leaks, or more expensive repairs. We’re just a phone call away.
Contact Sweetwater Plumbing today to schedule your water heater repair. We don’t charge by the hour, We charge by the job!