Repairing a malfunctioning hot water heater is not a complex task, as typical problems with a hot water heater concern the temperature. Another often-heard complaint is the lack of hot water. This can make for an uncomfortable shower experience. Sometimes an odor can be emitted similar to that of rotten eggs, or the tank can be making loud noises. A leaky hot water heater is not repairable and must be replaced.

Draining the Tank

Before starting any repairs, the tank must be drained. The hot water heater must be shut off from its energy supply, and the water must be cooled before draining. The cold-water intake should be closed and a hose attached to the drain valve. Air needs to be allowed into the tank while it's draining, so a hot water faucet must be turned on somewhere in the house. The water can be drained to the outside or down through a drain in the basement or even into buckets.

Flushing the Tank

Flushing the hot water tank can eradicate several issues. Once the tank has been drained, the drain will need to be closed and the intake valve to the cold water will need to be opened. The tank should then be filled halfway with cold water. The draining process is then repeated. The tank should be flushed until the water runs clear. This process flushes out any sediment that has built up in the hot water heater. By making this an annual maintenance item, you can avoid problems like having water that smells like rotten eggs, as the sediment is usually the cause of the smell. Flushing the tank also helps to ensure there is plenty of hot water because the sludge is not taking up room in the tank.

Remedies for Other Tank Issues

Changing the thermostat setting usually takes care of having water that is too hot or too cold. If there is no hot water, the element used to heat the water has probably gone bad. The voltage should be checked, and if there is no voltage, then the element should be replaced. Noisy hot water tanks can be caused by scale building up on the element or an element going bad. The elements can either be removed and cleaned or replaced.

Source:

Seisco

Do It Yourself

Chilipepper Appliances