5 Common Water Heater Problems in Iowa Homes

With the winter weather squarely keeping everyone in Iowa nice and frozen, the last thing anyone needs is their water heater going out. Not only is your water heater one of the more expensive parts of your plumbing to fix, but waking up to find out your only option is an ice bath is unpleasant. Luckily, many water heater problems are simple to diagnose and even simpler to fix. While our experts are always on hand to help you out if you run into trouble, we also want to prepare you to face obstacles on your own—if you choose to do so!

In this article, we’ll dive into the most common water heater problems in Iowa homes, including:

One of the most noticeable signs that your water heater might have an issue is excessive noise. If your hot water tank starts to bang, creak, or whine, it could indicate sediment is building up inside the tank. When this sediment touches the heating element, it creates a lot of noise as it literally burns the sediment away. Iowa water is infamously hard, so this is a problem that many people face.

Flushing the tank is a quick and easy way to resolve the issue. However, if you still hear noises after doing so, the heating element may be burning out. If so, the part needs replacing.

Is there anything worse than hopping in a warm shower, only to be greeted with a blast of cold water after just a few minutes? This is another indicator that something is wrong with your water heater. Most water heaters have two heating elements—one at the top and one at the bottom of the tank. If one of these parts goes out, you must rely on a single heating element to warm the entirety of the tank. Basically, you’ll run out of hot water much more quickly. Replacing the broken heating element is the best way to address this issue.

Sometimes, your water might never actually reach “hot” and will just sit at a lukewarm temperature. This typically indicates your water heater’s dip tube is broken. A dip tube is an integral component of water heaters that pushes cold water to the bottom of the tank. If the tube breaks, cold water mixes with the hot water already inside the heater. Of course, this results in lukewarm water.

Keep an eye out for small pieces of plastic in your shower heads, filters, and strainers, since the remains of the broken dip tube still travel through the pipes. Thankfully, dip tubes are pretty simple to replace on your own, though you can always ask for an expert’s help if you’re worried about doing so.

One of the most distressing signs that your water heater is on the way out is not having any hot water. After all, this must mean the entire unit is broken, right? Not necessarily! Usually, this is due to a busted thermostat. Try clicking the reset button on your water heater’s thermostat to see if anything changes. Usually, the thermostat's location is pretty visible, but you can also look in the manual to find it.

If you still have no hot water after resetting the thermostat, you’ll need an expert to diagnose if it’s just one faulty part or if the whole system needs addressing.

Sometimes, you might check on your water heater and find it wet—or worse, there’s a puddle on the floor. Sometimes the water heater sits in a cold room and develops condensation. If the liquid looks even across the tank's surface, it’s probably not a leak.

If your water heater is visibly leaking water, shut off the power to the appliance at the circuit box. Gas water heaters usually have dedicated gas shutoff valves at the tank's base. Also, shut off the cold water supply controlled by a blue valve.

Try to identify where the leak originates. For example, something as simple as tightening a connection can fix the issue if it's from a pipe. When water leaks from the sides or bottom of the tank, there could be a problem with the pressure relief valve. Water pooling at a tank's base may result from a crack.

Because of the potential severity of these problems, it’s usually best to reach out to a plumber you can trust to perform an extensive repair on your water heater system. At Golden Rule PHC, our skilled plumbers can quickly address any of your water heater problems. Plus, we offer a one-year labor warranty and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.