In Lakewood, making sure that your water heater works well is very important, especially in the winter months when it sees a lot of use. One problem you might encounter, which is all too common, is that you run out of hot water. If your heater is working, but you aren’t getting hot water, then the problem could be with the thermostat or heating element. Both of these can be repaired by a professional. A more common issue that can cause you to run out of heated water is sediment buildup. This can reduce the efficiency of your heater. You can also have that cleaned out, in some cases it just means flushing the unit. On the other hand, if a sediment buildup is causing efficiency problems, it's also causing your heater to work a lot harder (which means more energy use and almost guaranteed appearance of a higher utility bill).
Another common issue that homeowners face is water heater leaks, which can lead to water damage and mold growth. The leaks are often due to problems with the tank itself or with the pipes around it. When the repairs are necessary, which they sometimes are, they can be done by local skilled technicians to a compliance standard.
Water heater leaks aren't easy to spot. Even when a local technician is called to inspect what's suspected to be a leaky water heater, the unit can still be flooded with its own hot steam. Because of the inspection temperature, and the local experience, the technicians are now strangers to the inspection service. For routine checks or potential service calls, they have to go with the story that the water heater isn't leaking.
Should your water heater start to make unusual sounds, you might find yourself asking whether repairs will be necessary. You might even wonder how much these repairs might set you back. Before you dive too deep into the dreadful world of repair costs, take heart. This common problem might just have a lick of paint as a solution.
But if your heater's symptoms are severe enough, even a full inspection might miss the simple root cause of the noise: there's a chance your water heater is just a little bit rusty and in more need of a part or a replacement than a paint job. Either way, knowing what it might cost you can only help you make better decisions, both in this moment and moving forward.