Having regular, consistent and reliable hot water is something that most homeowners in Southern Ontario are accustomed to. It’s become such an integral part of our homes that we take having hot water for granted — which makes it even harder when something goes wrong.

Here is a list of the most common water heater problems you may face, and what could be the cause:

Water Isn’t Hot Enough

Turning on your hot water tap to find that your water is lukewarm is not an ideal scenario, but it’s one of the most common water heater problems you’re likely to face. This can typically be solved by checking the thermometer on the tank and turning it up a few degrees. Be careful not to turn it up too high as you could scald yourself or your family members.

Water Isn’t Hot At All

Having water that isn’t hot enough is a nuisance, but having no hot water at all can be a big problem. If you have a gas-powered water heater and you’re only getting cold water, it’s possible that the pilot light has gone out. This can be fixed by replacing your thermocouple or pilot control valve. Electric water heaters that stop putting out hot water may need to have the heating element or thermocouple replaced. This can be done by your maintenance technician.

Water Has A Strange Smell

The last thing you want when you turn on your water faucet is to have foul-smelling water come out of your tap. If your water smells like rotten eggs, it could be a sign that it’s infected with bacteria. You can flush the water tank and clean it with water and hydrogen peroxide, but if you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, it’s best to call your technician.

Water Heater Is Noisy

A telltale sign that something is wrong with any of your home comfort systems is odd or sudden noises. If your water heater has started to make a noise, it could be one of these problems:

• Build-up of sediment in the bottom of the tank
• Heating element is starting to burn out

In both cases, you’ll need to contact your water heater technician to drain the water heater or replace the heating element.

Water Tank Is Leaking

A leaking water heater tank is a sign that you need a new one. Even small leaks should be treated seriously. While these leaks can be patched up, this is only a short-term solution and the only long-term fix is to replace your tank. Ignoring a leaking water tank can lead to costly damage in your home and expensive hydro bills.
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