Now that the weather is starting to cool off, have you noticed that the hot water in your home isn't really as hot as it should be? Are you wanting to do something about this before the weather really gets cold and it feels like there are icicles coming out of your faucet? As appliances get older, it becomes inevitable that they will break down. Water heaters are no exception to this rule. But cold water doesn't necessarily mean that the whole water heater needs to be replaced. There are various common issues that can be fixed with less expense than getting a new water heater. Some of these things include:

Damaged burner: Whether you have a gas water heater or an electric one, the burner can become damaged or worn out over time. In the case of a gas burner, it may simply need a good cleaning to have it become functional once again. But if you have an electric one, your water heater repair services technician will likely have to replace the entire burner. Fortunately, just replacing the burner is inexpensive when compared to the cost of replacing an entire water heater.

Leaky valve or pipe: If your water heater's tank is leaking, that's it. You need to replace the entire thing. But water around the water heater doesn't necessarily mean that the tank itself is leaking. The pipes leading into or out of the water heater may have sprung a leak over time and simply need to be re-soldered in order to allow you to continue using the appliance. However, the fault could also lie with the pressure relief valve. This is a safety valve that is installed at the top of the water heater and designed to open up and let out pressure if the water inside the tank gets too hot. Sometimes, these valves are faulty and start to leak even when pressure is normal, requiring a water heater repair services technician to replace the whole thing.

Sediment: Hard water can cause calcium and other sediment materials to precipitate out of the water and settle at the bottom of the tank. If not removed on a regular basis, it can build up to the point where it starts to interfere with the function of the water heater. Although it's possible to flush out this sediment on your own, it's often best to get a professional to do it. Sometimes this sediment can be blocking tiny holes in the tank itself, and flushing out the sediment can result in a leak that requires replacing the whole thing. A water heater repair services professional will know what signs to look for before proceeding with the flushing if it is safe.

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