If you’re looking for water heater repair in Plano, TX, then you’re on the right track! We’ve serviced many Plano residents with plenty of success. At Murley Plumbing, our licensed expert plumbers are on call 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week.
We have the know-how to deal with any water heater problems you may have, whether it’s traditional or tankless.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at water heater issues and common solutions to a water heater that isn’t quite as hot as you’d like it to be!
Signs Your Water Heater isn’t Performing as it Should
If you think you’re experiencing trouble with your water heater, there are plenty of easy signs that will warn you right away if there’s a problem.
- You’re running out of hot water. This is probably the first thing that will alert you about your water heater. If you’re running short on hot water, you may have to take a look at your water heater unit.
- Your water temperature isn’t consistent. If your water temperature rises and dips, there’s another obvious sign that your water heater needs maintenance and attention. The temperature shouldn’t be fluctuating and remain at a consistent heat.
- Your water heater is leaking. Another clear sign is water around the base of the water heater. A well-functioning water heater will be completely dry around the perimeter.
- Your water pressure is low. Water pressure should be consistent regardless of temperature. If your water’s flow is abnormally low, it could be due to a substance building up in your water heater or plumbing. Whatever it may be, it requires immediate attention by a plumber. If you’re in Grayson or Collin County, Texas, get in touch with the professionals at Murley Plumbing.
- Your water is starting to smell or is discolored. Your water should always be clean, meaning there shouldn’t be an odor and should be clear. If you notice an odor or the color of your water changes, there might be some bacteria or rust in the water heater.
- You have an older water heater. Water heaters nowadays are a lot more durable than those made back in the day. Old water heaters are more prone to wear and tear after a decade. Another sign of its age is an increase of sounds coming from the heater.
Solutions to a Lack of Hot Water
Water heaters can be an intimidating hunk of metal at first glance. Looking at something so hulking in a dark space that controls such an important function can seem daunting.
We’ll try our best to break it down for you. If you’re having trouble with more specific issues, such as your temperature or pressure valve leaking, we have an article on that as well.
We also have information on if your pressure relief valve isn’t working. If that isn’t the case, we can provide some steps to help you deal with your water heater issues. If not, then consider giving us Murley Plumbers a call.
Early Troubleshooting
If you’re experiencing problems like inconsistent water temperature, low hot water pressure, or even no hot water at all, you might want to check what’s going on around the water heater.
The first thing you want to do is inspect the sides of the water heater. There shouldn’t be any water around the unit and the status light on the water control valve should be blinking. The status light, when operating correctly should be blinking every 3 seconds.
If there’s no water but the status light is off, then you’ll move on to the next step: removing the concealer door and checking out the pilot light.
Peek through the sight glass to see if it’s lit. If the pilot light is lit but there’s no status light blinking, then you should test the thermopile’s voltage. If the thermopile test passes, you’ll need to find the gas control valve.
If the pilot light is off, then we go on from there. Check to see if your gas supply is working. An easy way is to check if your gas stove or fireplace is working. The gas meter or storage tank will work, too, if you don’t have the former options.
Once that’s done, check to see if the gas valve is on. If the handle is parallel to the piping, it’s on.
The next thing to do is check the igniter to the pilot light. In most cases, it’s located on the water control valve. There should be a knob on the water control valve and an option to turn it to “Pilot.”
Press on it and then press on the igniter. Hold down the knob for about a minute or until the status light starts blinking. If it operates outside a blink every 3 seconds, then refer to an error code guide.
If you’re a visual learner, here’s a quick video on the simple steps you can take to do it yourself:
No Hot Water: Water Heater Troubleshooting
Resetting the Thermal Switch
After completing the previous steps, the pilot light should remain on after you let go of the knob. Refer to the thermal switch on the opposite end of the sight glass if that fails.
There should be a button on it and if it clicks, it means that it’s been tripped. It can be tripped by the combustion chamber getting too hot. Common causes are clogged intake screens (at the base of the water heater) or an incorrectly installed baffle underneath the draft hood.
Try the above steps again to see if the pilot light remains lit. If not, check the wiring to make sure it’s secure. You can bypass the thermal switch by running a jumper wire between the connections. You can also place a metal bit on top of the connections. If the water heater stays lit after that, the thermal switch may need a replacement.
Tank or Tankless Water Heaters?
There are 2 types of commonly used water heaters: tank and tankless. The large one that usually occupies its own storage closet or takes up a lot of space is a tank water heater.
Tank water heaters are present in most homes, although tankless ones have been gaining more popularity in recent years due to their more convenient size and energy-saving capabilities. If you want a full breakdown of their differences, check out this guide by HomeServe.
The good news is, if you’re located in Grayson or Collin County, Texas, the professionals at Murley Plumbing are equipped to handle both kinds!
Tank Water Heaters
Most homes are already fitted with a tank water heater. They have fewer upfront costs in many cases since they don’t have to be installed as often. That said, tankless water heaters usually cost a little bit more than their counterparts.
Tank water heaters are usually more reliable since you will likely only need one in your house, which may not be the case with tankless heaters. These water heaters also keep a reserve of hot water ready so hot water is almost always instantly accessible.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are a more recent innovation that people have been turning to. Unlike tank water heaters, tankless options aren’t operating the whole day, which saves a lot of money month-to-month. Instead, they’re used when you need hot water. Since tankless water heaters only run when you need to, you can save on energy and costs.
While you may need to purchase more than one and their installation costs might be pricey overall, it’s a long-term investment that will save you money in the long run.
Tankless water heaters have more benefits than just being energy-efficient. They’re much more compact and longer-lasting water heaters than their tank alternatives. Maximizing your limited space with quality-made products will always be an attractive option.
Last but not least, tankless water heaters don’t run out of hot water, so they’re great for large families (or lovers of long baths).
Final Thoughts
Water heater repairs can be tricky to resolve on your own, and sometimes, DIY can actually make the problem worse and more costly. If you’re experiencing issues with your hot water heater, it’s best to call a professional. They can pinpoint your problem and resolve it without all the wasted hours and guessing of doing it yourself.
So, if you’re thinking about switching to a tankless water heater, need water heater repair Plano, or are looking to install a new tank water heater, give us a call or contact us through our form!
