How to Troubleshoot and Repair an Electric Water Heater

Troubleshoot and Repair an Electric Water Heater

Electric heater waters are reliable and efficient hot water sources for your house. If your water heater starts giving you issues and stops producing hot water, you might face many issues, from cold showers to a lack of hot water for cleaning. If you’re facing consistent water problems, it may be time to fix your electric water heater. Contact the professionals for water heater repair in Oakland if you are encountering issues or if it stops working.

Some water heater issues are minor and don’t need professional assistance. Its telltale signs of malfunctioning include water temperature issues, leaks, discoloration, odor, and noise. We have put together a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and repair these issues.

Troubleshooting Tips:

 

Shut Off Power To The Water Heater

 

Safety should always come first. Before starting any troubleshooting tips for an electric water heater, ensure to turn off the power first. To do this, turn off the fuse or power circuit breaker connected to the water heater.

Water Temperature Issues

Several water heaters cause temperature issues, ranging from no hot water to inadequate hot water to too much hot water. Experiencing any of these issues can be frustrating.

When there’s no hot water, the problem might be due to a lack of power, a faulty electric thermostat, or a faulty upper electric heating element. You can start the troubleshooting by resetting any tripped circuit breaker and replacing any of the blown fuses. After that, verify that the heating element is getting power. Your next step would be to test the feature and replace it if it’s faulty. If the thermostat is obtaining power but not working, you probably need to replace it.

If your water heater has inadequate hot water, it can result from an undersized water heater, crossed wire and heater connections, or a faulty heating element. To resolve this, ensure the heater has 75% of its capacity as hot water. If the water temperature is consistently lukewarm water during showers, it might be indicative of a defective upper heating element.

The thermostat is probably set too high if the water heater provides extreme hot water. Ensure the temperature of the upper and lower thermostats is between 110 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water Heater Leaking Issue

Water leaks can be caused by faulty temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve, excessive pressure, overheating, a stuck valve, a leak from an overhead, losing heating element bolts, a bad gasket, or a leaking water tank.

Place a bucket under the overhead pipe and flush it off from debris by opening the valve to check the T&P valve. If the leak is persistent, consider repairing or replacing the valve. The next step would be to lower the thermostat setting, reducing the excessive pressure or heat. It is also best to check for loose connections and tighten any issues. Ensure you don’t over-tighten it.

Discoloration or Odor

If the water coming from the water heater is brown, red, or yellow, there could be corrosion inside the glass-lined tank or the pipes. Also, if the water smells like rotten eggs, there could be bacteria in the lines or the water heater itself. You might need to call a professional plumber to replace the anode rod of the water heater tank.

Making Strange Noises

If your water heater is making loud, strange noises, there might be an excessive sediment accumulation at the tank’s bottom, causing the water heater to overheat. It results in boiling the water. This can be fixed by draining out the water heater to eliminate sediments. You will need to consider replacing your tank if this doesn’t work.

About Bryan

Hi, I am Bryan, a seasoned plumbing expert with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Renowned for my meticulous attention to detail and exceptional problem-solving skills, I have successfully and effectively handled numerous plumbing issues, ensuring top-quality service and customer satisfaction with every project I take on!