Water heaters are the large, wide, cylindrical, metal tanks that often accompany washers and dryers in utility rooms. As you might infer from their name, water heaters are responsible for heating the water people use in their homes to shower, wash their hands, clean dishes, and more. Since water heaters are so important to modern living, it’s important to know how to fix them. Here are three likely fixes for three common water heater issues.
Rust-Colored, Red, or Brown Water
Rust, also known as oxidation, is what results naturally when iron, oxygen, and water come into contact with one another. Although the inside of water heaters are closed off from the world and usually filled to the brim with water, meaning there’s not much room for oxygen, they can and do still rust. Sacrificial anode rods are components of all water heaters that are made out of a mixture of metals that keep their interiors from rusting. If your hot water is rust-colored, red, or brown, you probably need a new anode rod. Replacing anode rods is difficult, meaning you might need a water heater repair service in the Seattle area to help you replace them.
Water Smells Bad
Sometimes, bacteria build up in water heaters, unleashing a foul smell whenever hot water handles are flipped open. If this has happened in your home, the easiest and most effective way to kill off this bacteria is to turn the tank’s temperature up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it sit for at least a day after the temperature is reached. Drain the tank and you should be good to go.
Long Reheat Times
Instead of looking for water heater repair services in Seattle if your water heater takes a long time to reheat, consider purchasing new heating elements. You can install them yourself, just make sure to drain the tank and turn off your home’s breakers first.
