Some of the most common problems include:

No Hot Water

The most significant issue with a conventional water heater is when looking for hot water, none is to be found. If your water heater is not heating, the most common problem is an electric or gas supply issue. You may also want to check if the electric breaker has tripped or switched off on your electric water heater.

If the energy supply functions correctly, the issue may be with the heating element or ignition. Check to see if the pilot light has gone out. Contacting a professional is the best step if there are other issues. They can assess if your heating element needs replacing.

Not Enough Hot Water

One of the benefits of conventional water heaters is they should supply plenty of hot water once given time to heat. The average shower uses 17 gallons of water, so your water heater needs to meet the needs of simultaneous and frequent hot water use. No one wants to schedule showers if multiple people live in the home.

However, if you feel like your conventional water heater produces insufficient hot water, the heater may have too low of a capacity. This could be especially true if your family has grown, you have guests in the home, or you are a new resident in an existing home. If this is the case, you have two options. You reduce your hot water usage or install a larger water heater to suit the household’s usage levels.

If you think the heater is not undersized for your current situation, there are other issues to address, like sediment deposits or heating element issues, as discussed above. North Peachtree Plumbing can assess the conventional water heater and get the hot water flowing again.

The Water is Too Hot

Your conventional water heater’s thermostat could be set too high. This issue could happen if you have recently moved in and the previous owner had the thermostat set at a level unsuitable for you. Alternatively, your water heater’s temperature setting could malfunction due to faulty wiring or electronic parts.

 

Most water heaters are factory pre-set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. A North Peachtree Plumbing technician can adjust the thermostat setting for you to reduce the hot water temperature if needed.

 

Sediment or Mineral Build up

If your hot water is discolored, cloudy, or emanates a strange odor during usage, your conventional water heater may be experiencing a build-up of minerals or sediment in the pipes. This is a common issue with conventional water heaters. The mineral deposits can be found around the heating element and at the bottom of the container or tank.

 

If there’s a sulfur odor like that of rotten eggs, there could be excessive bacteria in the tank. This bacteria reduces your water’s quality and can make residents ill. Additionally, older metal pipes and plumbing components can rust and cause iron sediment to become trapped. This issue diminishes the flow of hot water and reduces the temperature and pressure.

If your conventional water heater has sediment build-up or bacterial issues, it requires flushing and cleaning to restore efficiency and effectiveness. North Peachtree Plumbing can provide full flush and cleaning services, inspection, and preventive maintenance to help you avoid sediment build-up in the future. We can take care of the annual flushing of the system and remove the worry of conventional water heater issues.

Leaks

Leaks are another common issue with a conventional water heater. If you notice any water on the ground near your unit, this may indicate an issue with the tank or one of its components.

There are a few causes of a conventional water heater leak, including:

• Faulty plumbing connections
• Heating element gasket issue caused by over or under-tightening
• Storage tank with excessive corrosion causing failure
• Issues with the T&P (temperature & pressure) valve

If this happens, you should shut off the water immediately and call North Peachtree Plumbing for assistance. Our team can troubleshoot the issue quickly and offer options to repair or replace the tank before it starts to cause significant damage to your home or property.

High Pitched Whining Noise

If you hear a high-pitched whining sound from your conventional hot water heater, your heating elements probably have a larger-than-normal scale build-up. This excessive scale build-up can cause the elements to overheat and not work efficiently, decreasing hot water production.

The most efficient way to fix this issue is by thoroughly flushing out the tank and replacing the heating elements. North Peachtree Plumbing professionals can inspect your conventional water heater for scale build-up and recommend appropriate action.

Steps to Take in a Conventional Water Heater Emergency

If you ever have a water heater that is leaking large amounts of water and potentially damaging belongings around your home, follow these steps to prevent further damage:

• Turn off the water heater right away. If you are using a gas heater, the switch is located on the heater. If you use an electric water heater, go to the circuit breaker panel to turn off the appropriate breaker.
• Turn off the water supply to your water heater. You must find the shut-off valve of your water line and ensure it is fully closed. Depending on the severity of the case, shutting off the main water supply may be the solution to end leaking.
• Check the temperature and pressure relief valve; if it leaks, you will need to replace it.

Gas Leaks

A gas leak is hazardous, whether a methane or propane gas leak. The longer you wait to have your water heater checked, the more potential for an explosion to occur when completing repairs.

If your home utilizes a gas water heater, contact North Peachtree Plumbing immediately upon discovering water leaking from your tank.

Signs of a Water Leak

• An excessive amount of rust around the tank
• Excessive condensation
• Dripping sounds

Leaking conventional water heaters is often the cause of household emergencies. Water issues arise from things other than the home’s waterline. If you notice any of the above signs, contact North Peachtree Plumbing to inspect your water heater.

Ignoring these signs can lead to higher repair costs and more severe safety hazards. North Peachtree Plumbing has many trained professionals on staff who understand how conventional water heaters work and how to identify potential issues before they become significant problems.

24/7 Repair Service

When your conventional water heater breaks in the middle of the night, and you can’t stop the water from flowing, North Peachtree Plumbing is available. We offer emergency plumbing services 24/7.

At North Peachtree, we set ourselves apart from the competition with our 24/7 availability. This commitment to our customers means our trained technicians are available anytime – day or night. Whether you need us on a Monday morning or at 7 P.M. on a Saturday, our emergency repair services are just one call away.

We understand the importance of prompt service during urgent matters like water heater issues or burst pipes. Using our emergency services can save you money in the long run. Water leaks can become far worse issues that will have you putting out money left and right when left unfixed. Let us save you time, money, and stress with our expert knowledge and training. You can be confident that we will repair the issue quickly and safely.

Contact Us

Whether you are looking for a scheduled upgrade or need a timely replacement to get the hot water flowing in your home again, North Peachtree Plumbing is here to help. We offer quick installation. There is no need to experience long wait times before getting back on track with life again. North Peachtree Plumbing is dedicated to bringing you the best customer service. Call us today at (678) 234-8385 or reach out to Tom@north-peachtree-plumbing.com.