4 Reasons Your Water Heater Isn't Working

Are you a hot morning-shower person? Or do you prefer a relaxing bubble bath after work? If your water heater is acting up, you might not get either one! And hot water isn’t just important for bathing. If your water heater is unreliable, your dishwasher and washing machine suffer too.

Here are four common reasons why your water heater might not be operating at peak performance, and when it’s time to call a plumbing service.

1. It’s not plugged in…

This may seem like an obvious issue, but you’d be surprised at how often electric water heater issues are caused by a lack of power. Make sure your water heater is fully plugged in, that the breaker isn’t tripped, and simply replace the fuse if it has blown. If you’ve gone through these steps and the system still isn’t turning on, it’s time to call a plumbing service.

2. The heating elements are faulty

If you have hot water for a few minutes then it suddenly turns chilly, or if you have a constant supply of warm water that just won’t get hot, you might have a faulty heating element. Replacing the heating elements in your system is a quick and easy repair, but it’s best to call a home plumber to take care of the job. Here in Omaha, our Burton plumbers can often repair your system same-day with just one visit. You’ll be back to your bubbles and bath bombs in no time!

3. There’s corrosion or bacteria in your water heater tank

Is your water coming out of the faucet looking more like iced tea than pure tap? Your water tank may be rusting. Sometimes discolored water is also the symptom of a failing anode rod inside the tank.

Another common tank problem is smelly water. This can be caused by a failing anode rod or by a buildup of bacteria inside your water tank. If you have well water, you’re more likely to run into the bacteria issue.

For tank issues like these, it’s best to call a home plumber. Usually, these issues can be fixed by replacing the faulty part or flushing the system. Both are easy repairs your plumber can take care of in just a few hours. But sometimes, the full tank will need to be replaced before a larger issue develops. Have an expert inspect your system to determine the best option for your home and budget.

4. You’ve outgrown your water heater

If your water heater’s heating elements are working properly and the system has power, but you’re still not getting enough hot water to supply a normal day’s showers and household chores, you might have outgrown your system.

If you’re in the Omaha area, call the home plumbers here at Burton. We can help you compare water heater types, sizes, and models to find a new system that fits your family. The latest generation of water heaters are more efficient and effective than ever before, so you might just notice a drop in your energy bills too!