Without a working water heater, your dishes would not be as clean, your clothes’ stains might linger, and your showers would be miserable. That’s why it’s important to maintain your unit and keep up with any water heater repair needs that may come up. One major problem that may occur with water heaters is mineral buildup in the tank. But this problem can be prevented if you call a repair technician to flush your heater. So how can you tell your water heater needs flushing?

One of the most obvious signs that your unit may need to be flushed out is a rattling sound inside of the tank. This sound may indicate that sediment has built up inside of your unit and needs draining before it becomes a problem. When you call for water heater repair, the technician will use the unit’s drain valve to empty the water and sediment from the tank. But don’t try this on your own. A rattling sound may indicate something else, such as a problem with the pressure in the tank, and you’ll want a technician to take a look at the pressure valve just in case.

Sediment in the tank may not cause problems as long as you get the unit flushed out early, but rust is a different issue entirely. If you notice rusty-colored water when you turn on a hot water tap, this cannot be solved with a simple flush. This likely indicates one of two problems. The anode rod that prevents rust from building up in the tank may have worn through, meaning you need a simple part replacement that a technician can take care of quickly, but it may also mean the tank is rusting, a problem which usually requires water heater replacement.

Want to avoid these problems altogether? Scheduling regular water heater maintenance with a technician is the best way to do so. During maintenance, a technician will clean and inspect your unit and check for problems such as a rusty anode rod. Your tank will also be flushed, a maintenance step that is recommended every one to three years. But when sediment or other problems in the tank indicates that you need water heater repair in Orlando, FL, call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) today!

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Thanks to the miracle of indoor plumbing, we take for granted a constant supply of water, and a constant supply of hot water, into our homes. But when the level of hot water you expect on a day-to-day basis starts to drop, you may have a problem in the water heater. Instead of simply accepting less hot water (a problem that will almost certainly worsen), call for professional water heater repair in Orlando, FL.

Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) has worked with residential water heaters of all types since 1975, and our team of experts can restore your hot water supply to the level you need.

Water heater malfunctions that can lead to a reduced hot water supply

• Broken dip tube: The dip tube carries cold water from the water main into the heater. The tube runs into the top of the water tank and carries the water to the tank’s bottom, where the heat exchanger/heating elements are located. As the water from the dip tube heats up, it rises to the top of the tank where a pump sends it to the rest of the house. But if the tube breaks, the cold water will gather at the top of the tank, and the heater will start supplying less hot water. Technicians will need to replace the dip tube.
• Malfunctioning burners/heating elements: For gas-powered water heaters, a burner supplies the hot combustion gas to raise the water’s temperature. If the burner begins to fail because of grime, low gas-pressure, an intermittent pilot light, or a broken igniter, less heat will enter the tank. With an electric water heater, two heating elements inside the tank supply the energy to raise the temperature. If one fails, the amount of hot water in the tank will plunge.
• Leaking: If leaks develop along the connectors to the tank, on the tank itself, or in any of the pipes, the water supply will drop. This is a major problem that threatens the water heater and can lead to water damage in your home. Whenever you begin to lose hot water, make a visual inspection of the water heater to look for water pooling around it. Call for repairs immediately before the problem grows worse and you may need to have the system replaced.

Something else to keep in mind: water heaters have a lifespan of 12–15 years depending on their model. Once a water heater goes past its estimated lifespan, it will begin to deteriorate due to age and lose its efficiency. When you notice a reduction in hot water due to an old water heater, it’s probably time to schedule a replacement.

Whatever water heater repair in Orlando, FL you need done, look to Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI), a trusted name in plumbing service for almost 40 years. Give us a call today.

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