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  • What Is Wrong With My Water Heater? Can It Be Repaired?

    Updated August 5, 2020

    In Druid Hills, water heater repair is something Morningside Plumbing knows well. The first thing you want to find out after a cold shower is the phone number of a plumber who can repair your hot water heater. 

    If you are looking for a plumber to repair your Druid Hills water heater, you might want to know the total cost might be? If this question is on your mind, there is a good chance you just stepped out of an icy shower or just stepped into water flooding your home. Either way, for a broken water heater, it is best to call a qualified plumber, like us.

    Water heaters can break down for a variety of reasons. Even the most expensive, top-of-the-line unit will give you trouble eventually. When you find yourself without hot water, you need to find a way to repair or replace the system right away. Before we talk about cost, what is wrong with your Druid Hills water heater?

    I Have Limited Hot Water. And I Hear Loud Banging?

    A properly operating water heater is not loud. In a storage-tank water heater, you may hear the heating element’s faint sound whenever it reheats the stored water. Other than that, you should not notice sounds coming from your water heater at all. But if your water heater starts making loud banging sounds, this is a problem.

    Are you taking shorter showers because the hot water is running out? Do you hear your water heater clanging and banging like an elementary school percussion section? If so, there is a good chance there is sediment in your water heater tank. Homes with hard water are more prone to sediment buildup than those with soft water. What you need to do is have a plumber drain the tank and flush out the sludge inside. You can prevent these issues by draining your tank water heater once a year. Hard water locations need to do this more frequently.

    I Have No Hot Water When I Turn On The Faucet

    When you open the hot water faucet, it should only take a few seconds before warm water begins to flow. Faucets that are closest to the water heater get warm faster than those halfway across the house. If you wait for an eternity and the water never heats up, you can suspect your water heater is to blame. Call a plumber to take a good look at your water heater. Only a plumber can tell you for sure what went wrong, and the longer you wait, the more cold showers you may have to endure. 

    What If Water Is Pooling At The Base Of My Water Heater?

    Water should remain inside the tank at all times. If you notice condensation on the surface or puddles around the tank base, you may have an emergency on your hands. It doesn’t take much for a small water leaker leak to turn into a full-blown flood. Think about how much liquid your water heater stores. Do you want to deal with the aftermath of a 50-gallon leak? What may come as a surprise is that a small leak doesn’t always mean you need a new water heater. A plumber will inspect the system to determine the source of the leak, and they will also let you know if it’s repairable or not.

    Sometimes a leaking value is to blame. Loose drain valves are notorious for leaking over time. Water may also leak from the pressure-relief valve. Of course, you need a master plumber to determine the exact cause. Regardless of which valve you need to replace, you should set aside a few hundred dollars to cover the cost.

    Is Water Heater Repair Or Replacement Better?

    When the water heater goes out, you will need to decide between fixing the problem with a few new parts or replacing the entire system. Sure, repairs are cheaper than buying a new unit, but will they save you money in the long run?

    Sometimes repairing a water heater only buys you time. Think of it as a bandage: the older your water heater, the less time a repair will buy. You may have a few more months with a unit over ten years old. Younger models may be under warranty from the manufacturer, so remember to check. However, if money is tight right now, a water heater repair may be the only option. Morningside Plumbing will explain your water heater repair and replacement options to help you find a workable solution. 

    When it comes to water heaters breaking down, the biggest question is, “How old is my water heater?” Even if you don’t know the answer, a plumber can look up the age with the serial number. Repairing any water heater that is more than ten years old is never a wise decision. Most models start to fail around this point. Instead, you should invest in a younger, more desirable water heater.

    The Trusted Plumber For Druid Hills Water Heater Repairs

    Water heater repairs should never be a DIY project. You risk flooding your home and even worse electrocution. Instead, look to us, we are the plumbing company that knows how to fix all types of Druid Hills water heaters, including tanked and tankless models.

    The team at Morningside Plumbing does not want you to suffer through another day without hot water. We are ready to tackle your Druid Hills water heater disaster any time—day or night! While we hope you will never experience a plumbing emergency, we are always here for you. With over 50 years of experience, there is no plumbing issue we cannot handle. If you are ready for a long, hot, steamy shower, click or call to talk to us about Druid Hills water heater repair.