There are so many components that can contribute to Calgary hot water tank failure that it can take hours of troubleshooting to find the culprit. Some of the issues you’re most likely to experience with your hot water heater include:
- Water that isn’t heating up enough, or at all. Your first sign of a failing heater is usually stepping into what you think is going to be a nice, relaxing hot shower and finding yourself doused in cold water. One of the causes of this may be that the thermostat on your unit is no longer working properly. In this case, simply ordering a new thermostat is all you need to do. Another issue could be with your pressure relief valve, in which case replacement is also a possibility.
- Leaking water. Is the water coming from a loose valve? Tighten your valves, or replace them if they’re not tightening as much as they should. If water is leaking from your tank itself, your tank is probably deteriorating. This is a clear indication that it’s time for a replacement.
- Discolored water. As you likely already know as a calgary resident, our water supply is considered to be ‘hard water’ due to a high concentration of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. There’s nothing inherently wrong with these minerals, but they can cause build-up and corrosion, leading to rust. It’s this rust that can cause water to develop a dirty appearance. With a professional plumbing solution like water softener installation, you can prevent these minerals from damaging your plumbing system.
- Broken pilot light or heating element. If there's no pilot flame on your gas water heater or the heating element on your electric water heater is no longer functioning, you'll need to replace their respective heating components.
- Abnormal sounds. Hearing a sound that is suspiciously like that of boiling water? Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing of calgary right away.
If it’s as simple as a faulty part that can be easily replaced and reinstalled for pennies, we’ll be happy to order the part and install it for you. In cases where the problem is more complex, there’s more than one component at fault, or your tank is already over ten years old, we’ll likely suggest using our tank replacement service instead.
Many Calgary homes today use storage tank water heaters, also known as conventional water heaters. If it’s been a while since you’ve had yours replaced, you’ll be pleased to know that conventional heaters on the market today have improved in terms of energy efficiency. However, if you really want to reduce your energy consumption, you can also replace your existing heater with a tankless water heater, which produces hot water on demand, or a hybrid hot water heater, which uses a combined heat pump and tank design to efficiently heat the water in your home.
Our expert plumbers will be happy to discuss the pros and cons of each type of heater with you, and regardless of the model you choose, we’ll get it properly installed as efficiently as possible so that you’re not without hot water for long.
Our Best Calgary Hot Water Tank Maintenance Tips
Most homeowners will outlive their hot water tanks, but with enough care, you can make sure your unit lasts as long as it possibly can. The following hot water heater repair and maintenance tips will help you get the biggest bang for your buck. Once a year, make sure you or your trusty Mr. Rooter Plumbing of calgary plumber:
- Checks the pressure release valve
- Flushes out any sediment within the tank
- Inspects the sacrificial anode (a component within your tank that attracts hard minerals to prevent the tank itself from corroding) and replace it as needed
- Ensures the valves are properly tightened
With these simple maintenance tips, you can noticeably extend the lifespan of your unit and avoid having to pay the expensive upfront costs associated with tank replacement.
