Signs Your Water Heater Needs Professional Attention
If your home is suddenly without hot water, you already know you need to call for professional help. However, your water heater rarely shuts down without warning. Paying attention to known signs of trouble gives you a chance to address the issue before it escalates into a disruptive emergency.
Don’t wait to reach out if you notice any of the following problems:
- Rumbling, popping, or other unusual noises. Loud noises coming from the tank usually mean mineral sediment has built up on the heating element or burner. This layer traps heat, making the unit work harder and eventually damaging the tank liner. If the damage has not advanced, we can typically flush the tank to clear the build-up and protect your unit.
- Water leaking from the tank. Even a small puddle near the base suggests a serious issue. Leaks often stem from failed connections, a faulty temperature and pressure relief valve, or a crack in the tank itself. If your tank leaks, we need to replace the unit immediately.
- Rusty or discolored hot water. When the hot water coming out of your faucet has a reddish tint, your tank is likely corroding internally. This means the rust inside the unit is mixing with your water. We need to inspect the unit and the anode rod, as this sign typically indicates your tank is nearing the end of its life.
- Lukewarm or inconsistent hot water. If your hot water runs out quickly or if the temperature fluctuates wildly, a component has likely failed. For gas units, this often points to a burner or thermocouple issue. For electric units, a heating element failure is common. We can replace these internal parts to restore consistent heating.
- Visible corrosion on connections or valves. Corrosion around the pipe inlets, the pressure relief valve, or the drain valve suggests galvanic corrosion, which can lead to recurring leaks. We often see this on older units. Our technicians can sometimes replace the corroded parts, but widespread corrosion may signal it's time for a new unit.
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Customer-First ServiceWe believe in honest communication, fair pricing, and lasting relationships. Every service call is backed by our commitment to your comfort, convenience, and peace of mind.
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Expert Technicians You Can Count OnOur skilled and certified technicians bring years of hands-on experience to every repair, installation, and maintenance job, ensuring your system runs efficiently and reliably year-round.
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24/7 Emergency ResponseDay or night, our dedicated team is ready to respond to any HVAC emergency. We’re always available to protect your comfort and prevent costly damage when unexpected issues arise.
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Proven Trust and ReliabilityWith over three decades of experience and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau since 2000, we’ve earned a spotless record of customer satisfaction — zero complaints and countless positive reviews that speak for themselves.
How Often Should I Schedule Water Heater Maintenance?
It can be easy to overlook water heater maintenance until a cold shower forces the issue. Scheduling routine service helps prevent these and other unwelcome surprises.
For traditional tank-based water heaters, we generally recommend annual maintenance. We can perform a flush of your tank during this visit, which removes the sediment and mineral build-up that accumulates at the bottom. This build-up not only causes alarming rumbling noises but also drastically reduces the unit's efficiency and lifespan. Regular flushing helps keep your unit operating efficiently and prevents premature failure.
We also typically recommend annual maintenance for tankless water heaters. If your home has hard water, it may be in your best interest to schedule biannual maintenance visits. Tankless units require a specialized descaling agent to remove mineral build-ups from the heat exchanger. Left unaddressed, these build-ups severely restrict flow and efficiency.
Regular servicing also allows us to catch small issues, such as a worn-out anode rod, a faulty temperature and pressure relief valve, or minor leaks, before they cause catastrophic breakdowns or extensive water damage. Our team at Air Inc. Heating & Air Conditioning can inspect all components, test safety features, and confirm everything is working as it should.
What Should I Consider When Choosing a New Water Heater?
Choosing a new water heater can be overwhelming, but we aim to make getting the right solution for your home as easy and straightforward as possible. After assessing your property and your family’s actual hot water needs, we can provide personalized guidance and tailored recommendations. We can walk you through the pros and cons of each option so that you can make an informed decision.
Our water heater experts can help you assess many key factors when choosing a new unit, including:
- Sizing and capacity. We can calculate the maximum amount of hot water your family uses during the busiest hour of your day. For traditional tank units, we match this number to the tank's First Hour Rating (FHR). For tankless units, we look at the flow rate (gallons per minute) you need to run multiple fixtures simultaneously.
- Fuel type and costs. Water heaters run on natural gas, propane, or electricity, and your choice of energy source impacts both the unit's purchase price and its annual operating costs. Gas heaters often have lower running costs but a higher initial installation price, while electric models are simpler to install but may cost more to operate, depending on your utility rates. We can help you crunch the numbers to find the most cost-effective long-term option.
- Energy efficiency. The Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) rating tells you how efficiently the unit converts its fuel into hot water. A higher UEF number means the unit wastes less energy and saves you more money on your utility bills over its lifespan.
- Physical space and installation requirements. Your available space often dictates the type of unit you can install. Traditional tanks require significant floor space, while compact tankless units mount directly to a wall. We can confirm your home has the proper venting, gas line, or electrical service capacity for your chosen model so that we can avoid costly, unexpected installation hurdles.
When you need professional water heater repairs, maintenance, or installation, call (203) 871-0801 or contact us online.