Most standard tank water heaters are pretty basic with only a few parts that can go bad. No one every thinks about their water heater until they are standing in a pool in their garage or taking a freezing cold shower.  We find that when a water heater fails it is typically 1 of the 5 following things.

1. For those with gas water heaters it could be as simple as the pilot light flickers out.  Some people may find this an easy do-it-yourself fix by simply re-lighting the pilot light.  If that thought makes you nervous, we are a phone call away. 

2. Breaker trips on an electric water heater.  This is potentially a sign that there is a bigger problem but the best bet is to reset the breaker before calling out someone for service.  If there was a power surge or some other anomaly, you’ll find out relatively soon.  If the breaker trips again, call us so we can determine the real problem.

3. The gas water heater gas valve or electric water heater elements control temperature and heat the water. When a gas valve fails, there is not really a temporary way to get hot water before completely replacing it. On an electric water heater there are single and dual element units.  On a dual element unit, the top element is a relatively simple replacement. If you have an electric water heater and you water isn’t getting as hot as before or it seems to take much longer to get cold, you probably have one element out.

4. Temperature and Pressure relief valve failure.  A T&P valve is designed to “fail” when the temperature rises too high and creates more pressure in the tank than it was designed to handle. When a valve “fails” there will be some water near the base of the unit and potentially some steam damage if the unit was installed without a pan.

5) The fifth common problem will require replacement. If you have a leak in your tank or the pipes attached to your water heater then there is no option other than replacement. This is one you DON’T want to delay your action when you find it.  If you have visible exterior rust or small amounts of water from the bottom or sides of the unit, it won’t be too long till the room your water heater is in becomes a swimming pool.

If you have a hybrid water heater, a tank-less water heater, or a solar water heater, we highly recommend having a professional to investigate the problem.  Repairs can be difficult to diagnose and difficult to do. Leave it in the capable hands of Red Cap Plumbing. Remember if your problem has escalated to a flooded garage you can call us for emergency services in the Tampa area at 813.963.3056.