Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

Most people use gas water heaters because they are quite cost-effective and reliable. But that doesn't mean that, over time, they will not develop problems that can affect their functionality. Unfortunately, most problems are not discovered early enough due to lack of professional routine inspections, and this makes the repair costs quite hefty in the end. The good news is that you can tell when to repair your gas water heater by watching out for the following four signs.

Lack of Hot Water

If your gas water heater doesn't give you hot water, the chances are that the gas has low pressure and might no longer be producing the needed flame to heat water. The problem can be simple. For instance, it could be that the pilot light flame blew out or due to a damaged thermocouple or flame sensor. In these scenarios, you can solve the issue by relighting the flame and replacing the defective thermocouple or flame sensor. Turn off the gas first before any step.

However, if the problem is more complicated, such as a faulty gas control valve or cracked gas burner, you will need professional help.  

Fluctuating Temperatures

If your water temperature changes randomly without you making any changes, you should be worried. A damaged pressure-balancing valve can cause temperature fluctuation. It can also happen if the pilot light flame is off.  

If the pilot light flame is off, you should relight it. If this doesn't work, you should call an expert to help you. Do not disassemble the water heater without professional help. Today, most homeowners opt for boiler system installation to avoid the fluctuating temperature problem. However, if you maintain your water heater effectively, you reduce the chances of this problem. 

Rusty Hot Water

If you are getting rusty water from your taps, then you need gas heater repair services. The problem is caused by the presence of rust in the unit, which is due to various reasons, such as deteriorating anode. The professional will flush out the rusty water and change the corroded anode. But if the rust is present in the tank, you will need to replace the whole unit.

Other causes are the accumulation of sediments or the use of hard water. Your water heater should be flushed periodically to get rid of sediments to prevent rusty water. 

Leakage

Your gas water heater may start leaking over time due to too much pressure, loose connections, faulty temperatures and sediment build-up. A leaking unit can be repaired if discovered earlier. Hence, you should act accordingly earlier enough before it causes significant damages. The leak can happen at the bottom, top, or in the internal tank.

If you want to enjoy the service of your gas water heater, then you should take good care of it. And taking good care of it starts by watching out for any of the signs discussed above and hiring gas heater repair services right away.