You could ask most Granada Hills homeowners to list all the appliances in their home, and almost every one of them will omit their home’s water heater. It is a feature that no one would be willing to live without, but also one that is constantly overlooked for its essential contribution to the household. Sadly, that is also a good indication of how many homeowners overlook annual water heater maintenance and ignore the warning signs for trouble that could be coming from this vital appliance.
Popping And Crackling
If you happen to walk past the water heater and hear some odd popping and crackling, you might be alarmed. Many people think that this is an indication that the unit is about to explode. However, that is not at all what the unit is trying to tell you. Instead, it is asking for help and service. The popping and crackling are the sounds of mineral deposits and sediment inside the tank coming into contact with the heating element. When this happens, the deposits burn off of the heating element and crackle or pop. But there is no potential for the tank to be damaged at that moment.
What you should be gleaning from this odd sound is that it is time to have the water heater holding tank drained and flushed. All water has trace amounts of minerals, even if it is filtered. And over time, those minerals create heavy sediment in the bottom of the water heater holding tank. Unless the tank is drained and flushed annually, those minerals will form a layer over the heating element and inhibit its function. So if you think that your hot water is not as hot as it once was, this increased sediment could be the culprit. Draining and flushing the tank removes the residue and should restore the capability of the heating element to provide hotter water. It also prevents the component from being overworked, which will lengthen its life expectancy. So when you hear popping and crackling, plan on having the water heater drained and flushed as soon as possible.
Cloudy Or Stinky Hot Water
If you notice that your hot water is cloudy or has a foul odor, your water heater needs some help. These issues are caused by bacterial contamination of the holding tank. The first thing you need to do is make sure that the thermostat on the water heater is set above 120 degrees. Any setting lower will not kill bacteria in the tank. To ensure that you are killing all contaminants, set the unit at 135 to 140 degrees for a few days. This will kill all bacteria, including Legionella. After a few days, you can lower the setting to something closer to 120 for added energy efficiency. If the issues persist, schedule a professional tank cleaning to ensure that all bacteria and contamination are eliminated from the holding tank.
Tan Or Rusty Colored Water
If you are noticing that your hot water has a slight tan or rust color, the issue is just that, rust. The first option is to drain and flush the holding tank to eliminate the rust. However, if the rust color returns soon after draining and flushing the tank, it is recommended that you schedule a visit from a licensed plumber. In most cases, the unit is permanently damaged and will require replacement. If you wait, the issues will be compounded by a leak in the holding tank.
Call (818) 740-6830 to schedule water heater service with the licensed professionals at Turbo Plumbing & Rooter. We offer 24/7 emergency service and provide a full warranty on all our work.
