3 Warning Signs Your Hot Water Unit Is Failing

As long as your household demand for hot water is being met, it's easy to overlook the fact that your hot water unit may be losing its efficiency with time. The truth is, you are likely to run into expensive repairs and changeovers if you fail to perform preventative maintenance on your water heater routinely.

With that said, it's vital to know the warning signs of hot water system failure. Here are some obvious trouble signs to watch out for.

Corrosion in Your Water Heater

Your water heater has sacrificial rods designed to self-protect your water heaters metal from corrosion. Over time, however, your water heater becomes susceptible to corrosion when these rods become corroded.

One sure way to tell if your water heater is about to go haywire is the presence of corrosion. Failing to address corrosion immediately may cost you the metal components of your water heater. Corrosion weakens the affected components, reducing the performance of your hot water system.

A residential hot water system plumber can determine the extent of damage caused to your water heater and perform the necessary repair work or replacements.

Unusual Racket Coming From the Blower Motor

A rattling or clinking noise from the blower motor of your water heater is a sign you may soon forego the bliss and convenience that your hot water system brings. Normally, hot water systems are installed with a fail-safe mechanism to stop any operations if the blower motor fails. 

These noises show that your motor bearings are failing or the water heater may simply be overworked. It is imperative to have a professional check the blower motor immediately. The good news is that faulty motors can be replaced without necessarily replacing the whole water heater.

Leaky Water Heater

It is usually a good practice to check around the water heater tank for leaks on a regular basis.

Paying little or no attention to leaks can be catastrophic to your household items. Over the service life of your hot water system, the metal components are vulnerable to expansion with multiple cycles of heating. This is likely to cause small cracks and fractures, which may become bigger with time, thus causing leaks. Damaged fittings are also likely to be a cause of leaks.

If you are unsure about what may be causing the leaks, don't hesitate to contact a professional plumbing contractor to check it out.

Hot water units can be quite costly to buy and install. This is why you should take proper care of yours to ensure it serves you well for many years to come. If you encounter any of the above issues with your water heater, seek out a hot water system plumber for help.


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