There’s never a good time to lose hot water. It usually happens on a cold morning, right before work, with a full house waiting on showers. The good news: many water heater problems are repairable, and knowing the warning signs can save you from a bigger repair bill or an early replacement.
Here are the most common issues we see on hot water heater repair calls in Baltimore, Westminster and Eldersburg, and what they usually mean.
No hot water at all
Gas water heaters: Check whether the pilot light is out. A pilot that won’t stay lit often points to a faulty thermocouple or flame sensor, which is a common and relatively affordable repair.
Electric water heaters: Check your breaker panel first. If the breaker hasn’t tripped, the problem is often a failed heating element or thermostat. Many electric tanks have a reset button behind an access panel, but if it trips repeatedly, something is wrong and needs a professional.
Hot water runs out too fast
If you used to get a full shower and now get five minutes, the most likely causes are:
- Sediment buildup. Minerals settle on the bottom of the tank and take up space meant for water. This is especially common with hard water and untreated well water in Carroll County.
- A failed lower heating element (electric models), so only the top portion of the tank heats.
- A broken dip tube, which lets cold incoming water mix with hot water at the top of the tank.
Rumbling, popping or banging noises
These sounds almost always mean sediment. Water trapped under the mineral layer boils and pops as the burner or element heats it. A professional flush can often clear it. Left alone, sediment makes the heater work harder, wastes energy and can shorten the tank’s life.
Rusty or discolored hot water
If only the hot water looks rusty, the anode rod may be worn out. The anode rod is a sacrificial part that corrodes so your tank doesn’t. Replacing it is a routine repair that can extend the life of the heater. If the tank itself is rusting inside, though, replacement is usually the only fix.
Rotten egg smell in the hot water
A sulfur smell in hot water only is often caused by a reaction between the anode rod and bacteria in the water, which is more common with well water. Swapping to a different type of anode rod and treating the water usually solves it.
Important: If you smell gas (rotten egg odor) near a gas water heater, rather than in the water itself, leave the house and call BGE or 911 from outside.
Water leaking around the tank
Where the water is coming from matters:
- Pipe connections or fittings: Often repairable
- Drain valve: Can usually be tightened or replaced
- Temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve: May be faulty, or may be releasing because of excess pressure. This is a safety device, so have it checked right away
- The tank itself: An internal leak means the tank has failed and needs to be replaced
Tankless water heater problems
Tankless units have their own common issues, including error codes, fluctuating temperatures and mineral scale on the heat exchanger. Regular descaling is the most important maintenance step, especially in homes with hard water.
Repair or replace?
Repair usually makes sense when the heater is under about 8 to 10 years old and the problem is a part, like a thermocouple, element, thermostat, anode rod or valve. Replacement usually makes more sense when the tank is leaking, the unit is older and needing repairs often, or efficiency has dropped noticeably.
We’ll always give you an honest recommendation with up-front pricing, so you can make the call.
Simple maintenance that prevents repairs
- Flush the tank once a year to remove sediment
- Test the T&P valve periodically
- Have the anode rod checked every few years
- Descale tankless units on schedule
- Consider water treatment if you have hard or well water
Hot water heater repair near you
Huzzah Plumbing provides hot water heater repair in Baltimore, Westminster and Eldersburg, plus service across Carroll, Baltimore, Howard, Frederick and Anne Arundel counties. We repair gas, electric, tankless and heat pump water heaters, and we’ll help you get your hot water back fast.
No hot water? Call Huzzah Plumbing at 443-343-2920.