A water heater is one of the most important appliances in your home, as they are used daily to provide heated water for your sinks, showers, baths, and other vital aspects of your home’s internal systems. While they do run smoothly compared to most other appliances, water heaters can still have their issues from time to time. If you do notice any problems with your water heater, you may fix it on your own or but it’s highly recommended that you call a professional technician to help like R.A. Dobson.

At R.A. Dobson, our team is highly-skilled in HVAC and plumbing services, including furnace replacement, bathroom repairs, and our excellent water heater repair services. For residents of Sterling, Virginia and throughout Northern VA, we have provided our assistance at affordable rates  for over 40 years. We have ensured their satisfaction by offering our knowledge, as well as top-of-the-line appliances. Below, we list some common problems that might arise with home water heaters:

1. Leaks

One of the most troublesome issues that may arise with water heaters are leaks. Water can leak from the top of the heater because the pipes have become too loose. In some cases, the T&P pipe valve may have failed and needs to be replaced. On the other hand, you may have a leak coming from the bottom of the water heater. Sometimes there will be normal condensation at the bottom, but if you notice an excessive amount of water has been expelled, you may have an overflow going through a T&P valve unwilling to close.

2. Lack of Hot Water

If you notice that your shower doesn’t heat your water, then this could be an indication that your water heater is having underlying issues. The most common reason for this predicament is due to a broken circuit breaker. In this case, you should check the breaker box. Also check if resetting the switch on the thermostat works. If that’s not the reason, then it is probably outdated and must be replaced. Also, consider if you have a large enough water heater for your household size. If not, then it’s advised that you replace your old heater with a larger one.

3. Water Is Too Hot

Unlike having a lack of hot water, another sign that your water heater is having issues is when your water temperature is too hot. In this case, you need to call in a professional to help you with wiring issues. If your water is taking too long to reheat, then the cause for this issue is from the type of model you have. Newer models run faster than older ones, and various models produce different results.

4. Low Water Pressure

In the case that you may have low water pressure, installing larger pipes into your unit should solve the problem. Larger pipes will allow more water to flow through and generate more of the desired pressure you want. Usually, the case for low water pressure is that pieces of sediment, calcium deposits, and rust have blocked the pipes which contribute to the water pressure.

5. Dirty or Oddly Colored Water

If you see any rust-colored water then this could be a sign of corrosion in the anode rod or tank. If you replace the anode rod, you can add years to your water heater, as the corrosion doesn’t get serious enough to rust out your whole tank.

Additionally, if you smell any mold or rust coming from the unit then you should also replace the anode rod. The pungent odor from hot water indicates bacterial build-up. Even more so, if you choose to replace your old anode rod with a powered anode rod, this will get rid of the smell and give the tank a longer lifespan.

R.A. Dobson: Professional Water Heater Repair or Replacement in Sterling, VA

It is always important to know what is going on with your home’s internal systems, including the water heater.  For residents of Sterling, VA and throughout Northern Virginia, We at R.A. Dobson can help you through our numerous services, including our professional water heating repair and maintenance. Our team of professionals aspires to assist and answer any questions that you may have in regard to the installation process or routine cleanings. At R.A. Dobson, we provide a number of different water heater models that fit anyone’s budget. We aim to satisfy our customers with top-of-the-line service and reliability.

Contact us at 703-481-3700 today! We look forward to hearing from you.