Why Do Hot Water Heaters Fail?

Your water heater affects a lot of areas in your daily life. Since it supplies hot water for your everyday use like laundry, washing dishes and showering, it is one of your very important appliances in your home. Hence having it failing or functioning improperly can have a drastic impact on your personal comfort.

Most people rush to buying a new one once they notice that it is working improperly or seem to fail. However, prior to purchasing a new one, it is always important to know the possible causatives to the appliance failing so that you can always prevent them before happening or know how to repair them. Here are six reasons why water heaters fail and how you could prevent such happenings.

1. Improper Installation

The first thing to consider when you realize your water heater is not working is its installation. Was it properly installed? Sometimes failing to work might be because some things were not properly installed during the initial installation and hence checking to make sure that everything was properly installed is crucial. Turn off the power first at the circuit breaker, shut off the water supply then check the installations.

2. Faulty Thermostat

Having your water coming out cold when you want warm or hot is a clear indication that there is a problem with the thermostat. This is the most problematic area with failing water heaters.

3. Clogged Shower Head

When hard water deposits or sediments accumulate in the showerhead, they can cause the water pressure to become low. To fix this insert fine needles to the holes that seem clogged to unclog them.

4. Leaks In The Water Tank

If you have had the water heater for decades, it might be possible that the bolts around the gasket have loosened with time. Wear and tear can cause malfunctions and even lead to the water heater not working at all. Check that everything is the way that it should be.

5. Corroded Parts

Corroded parts can cause a water heater to fail or function improperly. Consider draining your water tank then investigate all the areas affected by rust and either have them repaired accordingly or replaced. Also, consider replacing the sacrificial nodes in the tank every now and then so that you don’t end up with rusted nodes.

It is no fun being without hot water for even a day. Water heaters are very important appliances in our homes especially when the weather takes a turn hence them failing to work can be really stressful.

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