Repair an Electric Water Heater
The electric water heater is one of the most popular ways for homeowners to get hot water, and it can be a bit of a mystery when something goes wrong. This article will cover some of the most common problems with electric water heater repair and provide troubleshooting tips so that you can try to figure out what is causing the issue.
Before you start working on a problem with your electric water heater, turn it off for safety purposes. Electric water heaters are high-voltage appliances, so if you turn them back on after resetting a tripped circuit breaker or replacing a blown fuse, you could get hurt. Be sure to also use a non-contact voltage tester to ensure that the power is completely off before you touch any wires or other electrical components on the heater.
A lack of hot water might be the result of a faulty thermostat or one or more failing heating elements. To check if the thermostat is faulty, open it and remove the access panel, insulation, and plastic safety guards on each of the heating elements. Then, using a flathead screwdriver, carefully adjust each element’s temperature setting. If a tripped thermostat or faulty heating element is the culprit, your water heater will likely need to be replaced.
How to Troubleshoot and Repair an Electric Water Heater
If your electric water heater is constantly producing lukewarm water, it’s likely that the upper or lower heating element is failing. In this case, a professional water heater technician can replace either or both of these parts to solve the problem. If you’re hearing strange sounds coming from your water heater, such as rumbling or popping noises or a whine, these may be the result of hard water sediment that has built up in the tank. A professional can drain the water heater to eliminate this problem.
If the insulation on your water heater is leaking, it’s time to consider getting a new one. The insulation is designed to keep heat inside the tank so that the heating element doesn’t have to work so hard to heat the water. The more heat that escapes, the harder your heating element works, and the more money you’ll end up paying on your electricity bill each month.
These are just three of the most common problems with electric water heaters. However, there are a variety of other issues that might be at play as well. That’s why it’s so important to contact a professional water heater repair expert if you’re experiencing any of these problems. They’ll be able to examine the tank and diagnose the problem quickly so that you can get your hot water back as soon as possible!