Replacing your water heater can be a costly job, so it’s important that you maintain it properly throughout its lifespan. Doing so can help your water heater last up to 20 years, making the initial investment well worth it. To help you perform the necessary maintenance and repairs, you should know what problems could arise with your water heater.

Here are some of the most common water heater issues you should keep an eye out for and the repairs we can do to resolve them.

Blocked valves, scale-build up, overheating

As sediment builds up in your water tank over time, it can build up as scale on the inside wall of the tank, which can be a sign of hard water in your home. The sediment will also deposit in the valves, causing them to gradually become more and more blocked. This can also cause your water heater to overheat, which can lead to costlier repairs.

The fix: flushing the tank

If your water comes out discolored or if you start to hear your water heater rumbling, then your tank might need flushing. Even if you don’t notice these problems, you should have your tank flushed on a regular basis to keep your water heater functioning properly.

Lack of hot water

If cold water starts coming out of your shower or faucets or if your hot water supply is not lasting as long as usual, then the dip tube may be damaged. This is the tube that delivers fresh, cold water into the tank to be heated. When this breaks, cold water will mix in with the heated water.

The fix: replace your broken dip tube

Lukewarm water

Similarly, if your hot water supply is consistently coming out lukewarm, then there may be a different problem with your water heater. With electric water heaters, the cold water delivered into your tank is heated by electric heating elements at the bottom of the tank. If one of these heating elements become damaged or worn out, then your water heater will be less efficient at heating your water.

The fix: replace the burnt-out heating element.

If you notice any of these warning signs, you should contact a plumber as soon as possible to prevent them from becoming more serious and costly problems. At DS Brandon Plumbing, we can provide you with reliable water heater repair and maintenance in North Carolina, serving Forsyth, Davie, Davidson, Guilford Counties, and more areas. Contact us today if you need help.