Water heaters are placed under a lot of strain, from the time they’re installed to the time they’re replaced. If you’re using a storage tank water heater, which is the most common type, it has to keep a large amount of water heated 24/7 in case you need it. That strain can eventually lead to some serious water heater repairs. Let’s take a look at some of the common causes of water heater repair, and what you can do about it.
Failed Anode Rod
A storage tank water heater can hold anywhere from 20-100+ gallons of hot water at any given time. Constant exposure to water invariably causes metal to rust away. So how do water heaters survive without rusting away to nothing? The key is a part called the “sacrificial anode rod.” The anode rod is a long metal rod formed around a steel wire, which is inserted into the storage tank of the water heater.
The anode rod takes advantage of a process called “electrolysis” to attract rust to itself instead of the tank lining. Unfortunately, this isn’t a permanent protection. Eventually, the anode rod will degrade until only the steel wire is left. When that happens, the lining of the tank will be vulnerable to rust again. For this reason, it is important to check your anode rod every year to make sure that it is still functioning. If you don’t know how to check your anode rod, give us a call and we’ll do it for you.
Heating Failure
When a water heater completely fails to provide hot water, it could be caused by a couple of different issues. It is possible that the pilot light is out, which can be easily checked. It is also possible that the thermocouple is faulty, which will prevent the pilot light from lighting. You’ll need to have a professional examine your water heater to determine the exact problem.
If you think your water heater may need repairs, call At Your Service Plumbing, Heating & Air. We provide water heater repair services throughout the Salt Lake City area.
