Your hot water heater may have several problems. In most cases the water heater become self-evident, a hot water faucet fails to supply hot water, there can be puddles or a leak near the water heater, or sometimes there is strange sound from the tank.

Most common water heater problems are: leaking tank, not enough hot water, water too hot, water not hot enough, unusual noises in the tank, and discolored water. Most water heater problems are relatively easy to handle if you know how a water heater works.

Here are some water heater tips to avoid water heater problems:

•Set the temperature to about 150 degrees Fahrenheit or lower if you have no dishwasher or if you have small children or elderly people in the home who might scald themselves.

• Insulate your water pipes if they run a long way from your heater to your faucets. This will maximize your water-heating energy. You need to buy the right and best water heater. You may in interested in water heater buying guide.

• Do not work on an electric water heater with power turned on or if there is standing water pooled on the floor near the water heater.

Though most of the hot water heater manufacturers have their own customer care units to solve your water heater problem, it is always wise to learn some of the basics so that you can solve the basic problems with your water heater.

If your gas water heater fails to heat water, do following:

1) Check and make sure the gas is turned on. Turn the gas control knob to pilot. This will prevent the burner from igniting when you are looking inside. Remove the metal cover at the bottom of the water heater and check if the burner or pilot light is lit.

2) If the pilot light has gone out, relight it. Instructions to relight the pilot light is mentioned on the tank. It may be possible that the gas inlet valve has some kind of a resistance or is jammed. If it is so, turn the handle parallel to the line and relight the pilot light. If the pilot still doesn’t light, there may be some defect in the thermocouple. You can either call your water heater customer care of an appliance repairperson. Many newer water heaters may have a glow plug or spark ignitor instead of a pilot.

3) If the burner is not on, replace the cover and make sure the thermostat is set to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If it isn’t, adjust it, turn on a hot water faucet, and then wait a few minutes to see if the water heater burner ignites. If it doesn’t ignite, leave the hot water running and try lowering and then raising the temperature setting on the dial until the burner ignites. If the burner ignites, replace the cover and turn the thermostat back to an appropriate setting. If the burner still doesn’t go on, have the water heater checked out by an appliance repairperson. The heater’s thermostat may also be defective. Get it replaced by a professional.

4) If you get some unusual smell from your water heater, turn the gas valve control to OFF. Wait until the gas smell has dissipated before relighting the pilot light. If the gas smell is strong and doesn’t dissipate, immediately turn off the gas supply valve, ventilate the space, and call your customer care.

If your electric water heater fails to heat water, it could be that the power to the water heater is interrupted or there is a problem with the controls or heating elements. Do following:
 

1) Make sure there is proper supply of electricity to the appliance. Check the main switch on the water heater and the circuit breaker / fuse. If the breaker or the fuse blows out repeatedly and too often, call an electrician for repairs. Please note that the water heater should have a separate and independent power supply.

2) Check the high-temperature cutoff in the water heater. Open the panel and push the reset button. If the button doesn’t make a clicking sound or you still don’t have power after pressing it, then your high-temperature cutoff may be bad. Call customer care or a repairperson.

3) The thermostat could malfunction is there is any water inside the compartment. Leaking water means that your water heater may need to be replaced.

If the above steps don’t solve your problem, there may be some problem with the heating elements. You can replace these heating elements yourself following the manufacturer’s instructions or you may call the customer care or a water heater service professional.

If your water heater seems to supply less hot water do following:

1) Make sure your water heater is not leaking.

2) Flush the water heater tank to make sure mineral deposits are not reducing the heater’s efficiency.

3) Turn off the hot water heater’s gas valve or electricity. And let the water cool.

4) Turn off the water inlet valve and using a hose drain off all water from the tank.

5) Open the drain valve at the base of the tank, and open one hot water faucet somewhere in the house to let in air. When all water has drained from the water heater, turn the cold water valve on and off until the water from the drain runs clear.

6) Close the drain valve and turn on the water inlet to fill the tank. Now turn the gas valve or electricity ON.

Tips: Always use your water heater as per the instruction manual and never ignore the instructions. Following the water heater usage and operation instructions itself will keep away most of the water heater problems.