Old water heater insides sitting on floor

We bet you dedicate at least 30 minutes a day thinking about your water heater, right? Wrong—we hope you have more important things to think about. Most of us never give a second thought to our water heater until we turn on the shower or sink and, behold, no hot water. The truth is, hot water heater problems typically occur long before the unit actually fails.

Here are a few telltale signs to indicate your hot water heater is not working properly and likely requires service — not to worry, Haller offers water heater repair services in Central and Eastern PA.

Poor Water Quality

You can tell a lot about your water heater’s performance just by inspecting your hot water as it comes out of the faucet. Over time, minerals, sediment, and other debris can collect in the bottom of your water heater’s tank, producing rusty, muddy-looking water. You may also notice unpleasant odors or that your water has a metallic taste.

From York to Lancaster, PA, Haller offers excellent water testing services to ensure your water is safe and clean to drink and use.

Leakage

Leakage is one of the more common water heater problems. If you notice a puddle of standing water around your water heater, you’ll want to look into replacing the tank as soon as possible. Depending on the source of the leak, a leaking water heater may indicate an internal failure of the unit that requires immediate attention. Otherwise, you face the risk of flooding and extensive water damage to your home.

Inconsistent Temperature

Do you seem to have trouble controlling the temperature of your hot water? Does the temperature suddenly go from hot to cold, even without touching the faucet handle? Inconsistent hot water temperature is another potential sign of a hot water heater going out.

In some cases, you may be able to rectify the issue by adjusting the water heater’s settings. If this doesn’t work, it’s probably time to call Haller for a water heater repair or upgrade.

Water Takes Forever to Heat Up

If it seems to take ages for your water to get hot, it could indicate an issue with the thermostat or heating element. This may also indicate an accumulation of sediment in the tank. If replacing the thermostat or heating element, or flushing the tank doesn’t solve the problem, it may be time to replace the unit.

Unusual Sounds Coming From Your Water Heater

It is not unusual for a water heater to make some noise, especially when the burner unit is activating to heat the water. However, there are certain sounds you should look out for, such as creaking, rattling, banging, knocking, or whining that may indicate possible signs of trouble. You can try flushing out the tank to remove any sediment that’s causing the noise, but if this doesn’t work, it’s time to replace the heating element.

Age

When it comes to your water heater, age is not just a number. As with any mechanical device, even a high-quality, well-maintained water heater will not last forever. While an older water heater may not necessarily exhibit signs of trouble, it poses a greater risk of a problem, or even a total failure.

The normal lifespan of most water heaters is 10-15 years. If your unit is within this age range or older, Haller offers quality water replacement services right here in PA! Upgrading to a new unit will provide greater system efficiency and likely lower your energy bills–it doesn’t get much better than that.

How do you know if your water heater is broken?

Call the professionals at Haller in Central and Eastern PA!

The best way to know for sure if your water heater is in peak working condition is to contact the professionals at Haller Enterprises. Our trained technicians can quickly diagnose most common water heater problems and perform expert repairs or install a new water heater if needed. Contact us to learn more about our water heater services today!

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