Is your water heater not working? Water heater problems are something that you may not notice until the worst possible time: taking an early morning shower and getting caught in freezing water! While water heater problems are not necessarily threatening to health, they are certainly annoying and can cause problems if left untreated.
Thankfully, water heater issues are relatively easy to treat (especially for a professional) and troubleshooting water heaters is something that can even be done by yourself.
Let’s start by going over the top 3 water heater problems that you may experience in Victoria, BC.
Top 3 Water Heater Problems
Your Water Heater is Leaking
A sudden drop in water pressure and temperature may be indicative of a leaky tank. Tanks may leak for a variety of reasons, most of which are age-related.
Other common causes include:
– Loose valves
– Mishandled installation
– Poor pressure.
Broken Burner Assembly or Gas Control
Water in the heater tank must be heated somehow – typically, this is the job of the burner assembly. If it is of poor quality, dirty, or simply old, the water may not heat properly. You can attempt to fix this by yourself, although because of the hazards involved, we recommend you reach out to a pro.
Dirty Water
Smelly, dirty, or otherwise unsanitary water is likely the most common culprit responsible for water heater problems. This issue in particular can cause grave health risks, so it’s best you identify the source of the problem as soon as possible.
How to Troubleshoot
Troubleshooting for the aforementioned common problems, and even other types of problems, is a fairly straightforward process.
The first step should be to carefully inspect the unit. Do you see cracks? Signs of age or wear? Is there no hot water for only some taps, or all of the taps? These steps are the easiest, safest, and quickest ways to determine the source of the problem. Cracks and age point towards problems with the heater itself, while inconsistent tap temperatures throughout the home are indicative of pipe issues, rather than strictly a heater problem.
Contact a pro if you’re unable to determine the source of the problem after these efforts to reduce the risk of injury.
What to do if You Have Water Heater Problems
If troubleshooting was unsuccessful, and you don’t feel comfortable testing it further, you should absolutely contact a water heater expert. Professionals are able to identify problems with water heaters and can troubleshoot them in a way that keeps you, your family, and your belongings safe. Don’t take unnecessary risks and contact a professional now. 
If your water heater is not working and you need hot water ASAP we recommend you simply boil some water on the stove as needed and ration it. If you need to shower, you can keep dumping the water from the stove into a bucket and use it only as needed, such as when you need to rinse soap.
Drain Pro Victoria – Water Heater Repair Experts
We hope this water heater problems guide has helped you identify the issues that are causing you stress. While water heater problems are easy to diagnose, they may be difficult to fix. Don’t forget – you should contact a pro if you feel unsure at any point in the process.
Drain Pro Victoria has been providing Victoria, BC with expert plumbing services for over 40 years. We offer emergency services, maintenance checks, and any other plumbing-related service you may need. Contact us today to get your water heater serviced!