Charlestown Plumbing Guide: Water Tank Diagnosis & Repair Guide

Having trouble with the water heater tank in your Charlestown home? Try this brief guide, which may shed some light on the difficulties you are having.

Problem #1: Not enough hot water

This problem could be the result of decreased supply or output, caused by leaking or sediment. If you’ve checked for leaks and flushed the sediment out (see #4), then the problem may be with the dip tube. This tube is meant to deliver cold water to the bottom of the tank for heating, but when it breaks, it spills water into the top of the tank. Since the water supply draws from the top of the water heater tank, it may seem like you’re not getting enough hot water as a result.

Problem #2: Water is too hot

First, check the temperature setting on your heater to make sure it is set at the right temperature. If it is normal, then the problem could be that the water heater is not turning off when it hits that set temperature. The temperature-pressure relief valve may be faulty, or there may be a bad sensor. If you hear sounds like water boiling from inside the heater, or your faucets are shooting out steam, call a professional right away. The water tank could burst under such intense temperature and pressure.

Problem #3: Hot water is discolored or smells bad

Water that is discolored or has a foul odor has usually been contaminated by either sediment, bacteria or both. To correct the problem, have a plumber flush all the water out of the tank and thoroughly clean the inside with a bleach solution or a commercial cleaner.

Problem #4: Not enough hot water pressure

Low water pressure could be caused by a number of things. One likely culprit is sediment that has built up somewhere in the system. It could be in the faucet supply line, the dip tube in the water tank or even in the main supply line. This is one complaint that can be hard to pinpoint, and is therefore difficult for most homeowners to diagnose and repair.

If you tried the tips above and you are still having water tank troubles, or if your problem isn’t listed in this guide, call a Charlestown plumbing professional like Boulden Brothers to repair the water heater tank.