5 Common Water Heater Problems | Sarte Heating & Cooling

Having an efficient and effective hot water tank isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. Buying a major appliance is an investment that every household should put some thought into. The average lifespan of a water heater is eight to twelve years depending on the model, how well it was installed, how well it’s maintained, and the water quality in your area. Although some problems are unavoidable over the years, there’s a lot you can do to protect your investment and keep your hot water tank in Winnipeg working reliably for you for years to come.

At Sarte Heating & Cooling Ltd., we’re committed to helping our customers get the most out of their appliances. Here are just a few water heater problems you should look out for:

Blown fuse or tripped breaker
When your taps stop producing hot water, most people understandably jump to the conclusion that there’s a problem with the water heater itself. Before you start poking around in it, however, be sure to check that you don’t have a blown fuse or a tripped breaker. You just might save yourself some time searching for a problem that doesn’t exist.
Pilot light goes out
If you have a gas-powered water heater, that means you have a pilot light. This is a small flame that ignites the burner. If it goes out, that means the burner won’t be able to fire. Whenever you’re dealing with gas and fire you should, of course, be very careful. Be sure to read your heater’s manual thoroughly before attempting to re-light the pilot light yourself.
Rotten egg smell
A rotten smell coming from your water or heater usually means one thing: sulphur. Electric heaters are susceptible to this problem, which typically comes from bacteria build-up somewhere in your heater. Bacteria, which love warm and wet environments, can easily accumulate if your heater has not been frequently used for an extended period of time. Unless the build-up is really bad, simply flushing the tank with clean water should take care of the problem.
Pipes are not insulated
Sometimes issues with your hot water tank are actually issues with your pipes. In a Winnipeg winter, the ground gets really cold. If your pipes are not properly insulated, that cold can be so bad that it damages your pipes. If you have a problem with your hot water but can’t find an issue with your tank, this may be what happened. You’ll need to call your local water heater experts to fix this problem.
Water heater not saving you as much money as it could
There doesn’t even really need to be a problem with your water heater for a replacement to make sense. If you haven’t replaced your heater in a few years, technology may have made a few leaps since you last looked into the issue. Getting a more energy efficient model that can save you money on monthly bills may make financial sense for you.

Solving Your Hot Water Tank Woes in Winnipeg since 2005

If you have any questions about how to maintain your hot water tank in Winnipeg, contact us at Sarte Heating & Cooling Ltd. For over 10 years, we’ve been proud to be the trusted resource for your professional heating and cooling solutions.