The Water Heater: Basic Troubleshooting

Most homeowners would agree that a water heater suits them best when it doesn’t cause any problems. Of course, the same is true of any home appliance. Unfortunately, even things that are made well will eventually break. Sometimes what you think is broken, however, may just need some small adjustments to be put right again. Like a computer that just needs to be rebooted, the easiest fixes are the ones you can do on your own. If you’ve been having some issues with your heating system, here are some basic troubleshooting tips that may keep you from having to call out the repairman.

Water too hot.

If your water heater is causing you to scald yourself every time you step in the shower, there are a few solutions you can try before calling in the big guns. One of the most common issues is that the temperature gauge is set too high. Go set the thermostat on the device about ten degrees cooler than where you have it set and come back to check the water flow again in a couple of hours. Don’t check it right away, as you won’t have given enough time to the tank to adjust completely.

Water too cold.

This is a more common problem, and one that many homeowners struggle with. Often, it is a sign that a new water heater is in your future. However, this isn’t always the case. The first thing to check is, again, the temperature gauge. Turn it up a few degrees and then check again in a couple of hours. Be careful not to turn it up too much at any given time, as you could risk burning yourself. If that doesn’t work for you, check to make sure the pilot light is coming on. If not, you certainly won’t be able to benefit from any hot water. This may be a problem with the light itself or indicative of another electrical problem. If you continue to run into issues, call out a plumber to investigate.

Leaking.

If you start to notice leaks in or around your water heater, you are almost certainly in for some repair work. Don’t hesitate when it comes to getting that repair work done, either, as water damage can quickly become overwhelmingly expensive and can cause other issues, such as mold. Try to tighten up any of the pipes you can access, but don’t go so far that you wind up causing more damage than there was originally.