It’s an appliance we rely on every day, but can a hot water heater be fixed? In this post, we’ll explore common hot water heater issues for both electric and gas hot water heaters.

Electric Water Heaters

Electric water heaters make use of heating elements and rely on a power source. Common problems include:

• No Hot Water—A tripped breaker is the most common culprit here. Check your circuit breaker and reset if necessary. If this is not the issue, the heating elements may need to be repaired or replaced, or it could indicate a problem with the limit/reset switch on your thermostat.
• Rust-Colored Water—This is an indication of corrosion either of the anode rod (a long metal rod that protects the metal lining of your tank from corrosion), or the inside of the water tank. An anode rod can be replaced, while corrosion on the water tank itself typically warrants replacing the tank. Discolored water can also indicate sediment build-up, and your system might need to be flushed.
• Noises—Banging, popping or knocking noises can occur due to scale build-up on the heating elements, or sediment build-up in the water tank. Again, your system may simply need to be flushed.
• Leaks—If you’re experiencing a leak near the top of your water heater, it could be an issue with loose inlet/outlet pipes or a leaking valve. Fortunately, these issues are easy to fix. If the water heater is leaking from the bottom, it could be due to normal condensation, or water being expelled from the overflow pipe. In the event that the tank itself is leaking, the water heater will likely need to be replaced.

Gas Water Heaters

Gas powered water heaters rely on a gas source, pilot light and burner to heat water. Most of the troubleshooting points listed above for electric heaters apply here as well, but keep an eye out for the following:

• No Hot Water—Check that your pilot light is on and that there is sufficient gas flow. If these seem in order, the problem could be that the thermocouple (which should sense that the pilot light is on and ignite the gas) needs to be cleaned or replaced. Newer heaters may rely on electronic ignition, in which case you’ll want to check for tripped breakers.

Can A Hot Water Heater Be Fixed? Gold Star Services Can Help!

This is by no means an exhaustive list, and it’s always wise to exercise caution. Let professionals handle the troubleshooting for you! Gold Star Services offers repairs, replacement and maintenance in the areas of heating, air conditioning and water heaters. Request a free estimate here or call 1-302-947-8694 to get started!