3 Common Types of Hot Water System Repair

Hot water systems do not often break down, but when they do it is important to get them fixed quickly so you and your family can get back to daily hot showers. The three following repairs are the most common ones that plumbers carry out. Take a look so you know what to expect when you call a hot water repair service.

1. Repairing Dip Tubes

A dip tube transports cold, clean water from your home's main supply to the bottom of the water heater. Here, the water absorbs heat and rises back up to the top, setting up a convection current that ensures all the water in the tank gets heated.

When a dip tube cracks or splits, it can dump cold water into the top of the water tank, where it absorbs no heat. As a result, the water you draw from your hot water system might feel lukewarm rather than piping hot, even when the water heater has been switched on for a long time.

Repairing a faulty dip tube is a relatively straightforward job, but as it involves opening up the water heater, it is always best to leave it to a professional. The cost of this type of repair is typically low compared to other types of repair, as dip tubes are inexpensive to replace.

2. Repairing or Replacing a Damaged Burner

A gas-powered water heater burns gas and uses the heat produced to warm up water. The part of the furnace where combustion takes place is known as the burner. If this part becomes rusty or excessively dirty, it can become incapable of allowing a combustion reaction to take place, which means the water heater will not be able to heat any water.

If you notice that the pilot light has gone out on your gas-powered water heater and you cannot get it to relight, you likely have a faulty burner. A hot water service technician can replace the burner or clean it to remove rust and allow the water heater to work well again.

3. Replacing a Broken Heating Element

Electric-powered water heaters have heating elements located in the tank, which they use to heat the water. Sometimes, these heating elements burn out, which leads to a reduction in the heating power of your water heater. Fiddling with the electrical components of your water heater can be dangerous, so call a hot water system repair service to handle the repair for you.