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Have you been experiencing issues with your hot water heater? Read our list of common issues to determine whether your water heater has called it quits.
If you have a leak near the top of your electric water heater, the cold inlet or hot outlet pipes may be loose, the T&P valve may have failed, or the inlet valve may be leaking. All of these issues are easy fixes. If you suspect a leak from the top, turn off the power to your water heater. For a gas water heater, turn the thermostat control to the off position. Do not turn off the cold water inlet until the leak has been found.
A leak from the bottom of your electric water heater could be caused by normal condensation, a leaking electric heating element gasket, or a small amount of water being expelled through the overflow pipe because the T&P valve is opening to release pressure in the tank. Sometimes the only solution is to replace the water heater when there is a leak from the tank.
If there is absolutely no hot water, the most common reason is that the circuit breaker tripped, so you should check the breaker box. If not, the heating elements may have failed and need replacement. Another possibility is that the limit/reset switch on the thermostat tripped or failed.
If you do not have enough hot water, your issue may be solved by adjusting the desired water temperature on the thermostat for that heating element. During the colder months, you might need to raise the temperature on the thermostat a bit, since the hot water gets cooled more quickly through the colder pipes. Other possible reasons for not having enough hot water include loose wiring, a faulty thermostat, or a water heater that is too small for your needs.
If it is taking longer than usual for your water to heat up, there may be an issue with the heating elements or the thermostat. If there is now more hot water being used in your home than in years past, it might be a good idea to consider a new model with a larger tank or a tankless model.
When problems occur, trust Joseph Frederick & Sons for prompt and reliable service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Continually family owned and operated since 1947, Joseph Frederick & Sons offers satisfaction on every project. We are committed to providing quality service to meet the exact needs of our customers throughout Wilmington, DE; Pike Creek, DE; Newark, DE; Claymont, DE; Hockessin, DE; Middletown, DE; Bear, DE; Landenberg, PA; Avondale, PA. Contact us today!