Halfway through a shower and the water is cold? You are picking up some odd rumbling in the basement? A puddle has appeared at the foot of your tank and you are wondering if there is cause for concern?
Then you have come to the right spot. We get more calls about water heater issues than anything else at High 5 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric; we have been of service to homeowners in the Denver metro area since 2012. Should you wish to discuss the particulars of your case, put us on the phone at (720) 615-9621 and you will be speaking with an actual person, any hour of the day or night.
A water heater is put to work hard, and in Colorado it has its share of obstacles. The climate here, with hard water and cold winters, is tough on these systems. What follows is an account of the trouble Denver homeowners tend to have, the reasons for it and when to put in a call to a professional.
No Hot Water, or Not Much of It
We are told this more than any other complaint. It can be a straightforward matter or something more serious. Among the usual suspects are:
- An electric unit with a tripped breaker or fuse
- The pilot light out on a gas model
- A heating element or thermostat on the way out
- A tank that is undersized for the household
- Sediment that has encroached on the tank’s capacity
- An old unit past its prime
You can put right some of these in short order. But if you find yourself without hot water after a reset, you will likely need someone with the training to see what is going on.
Rumbling, Popping, Banging
The hard water in Denver is no joke. Minerals will make their way to the bottom of the tank and over time form a sediment layer. Let the burner heat water through that and you will hear it.
It is not just noise though. That sediment puts undue strain on the water heater and your energy bills while cutting down on the tank’s longevity. Flushing the system is advisable; our Club Membership plan covers routine tune-ups for all things plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical for that very reason.
Tank Leaks
One does not want to overlook a water heater that is leaking. There are a number of culprits for water at the base:
- A drain valve that is loose or failing
- Inlet or outlet connections not tight
- Corrosion within the tank
- A temperature and pressure relief valve in disrepair
- The tank itself may have cracked
Minor leaks can be mended but one from the body of the tank is an indication it has to go. See water where it ought not be and do not put off a call to (720) 615-9621.
Water With a Taint or Discoloration
Hot water with a metallic odor or a rusty cast to it is often due to corrosion. Your water heater has an anode rod to take the brunt of it so the tank will not rust. Once the rod is worn, the tank begins to fail. A rotten egg smell is bacteria at work with the anode rod. Catch it in time and an anode rod replacement is a good deal less expensive than a new water heater.
Temperature Woes
If the water is scalding one moment and lukewarm the next, the thermostat could be the problem, or once more, sediment. And with children or elderly in the home, having the water set too hot is a hazard. Our technicians will put the thermostat in check for a safe, even temperature.
Repair or Replace?
In the end it comes down to age. Eight to twelve years is what you can expect from a conventional tank. If it is in that bracket and causing you repeated headaches, you are better off financially to replace it. We will tell you the price before we start so there are no surprises, and we offer financing should the timing be inconvenient.
High 5 Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electric is at your disposal for a new system, a repair or a tune-up, including Denver tankless water heaters if you are ready for an upgrade. We are background-checked, fully licensed and insured (Colorado #189849), hold an A+ with the BBB and stand behind a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Give us a ring at (720) 615-9621.