One of the best things about household plumbing is the hot water which people use for bathing and cleaning purposes. Unfortunately, supplying hot water can be very demanding. In most cases, the water must be heated to a specific temperature and then stored until it is needed. There are three types of water heaters which serve this purpose. The first uses natural gas or propane to create a flame which heats the storage tank. The second uses electrical resistance to heat the water directly. The third option is a hybrid system which uses electricity along with a heat pump that extracts ambient heat from the surrounding air.
Unfortunately, all of these variances make it difficult for the homeowner to fix the problem when their household is in need of Water Heater Repair. Repairing a gas fired water heater can be dangerous to an inexperienced homeowner because one small gas leak could result in a major disaster. Plus, it can be difficult to determine why the system doesn’t ignite or why a pilot light has failed.
Repairing an electric system is a little easier because newer models tend to use similar components. The electrodes and thermostats are designed to fit a specific size of tank. However, it does require special tools and a little muscle to access the heating element(s). Most tanks that are forty gallons or larger use dual elements. Hybrid models can be even more temperamental because you have to worry about the heat pump system, as well as the electrodes.
One of the most common reasons for Water Heater Repair in an electric system is a broken electrode. This occurs after the electrode has corroded due to extended use. In most cases, the damaged electrode will simply quit working, but there are times when the element will short circuit. A short in an electric water heater could result in a continuous flow of low voltage which keeps the unit constantly heating. This is a dangerous situation that could result in scalding water temperatures. The tank has an external safety switch which will shut off the power supply when the water reaches a specific temperature. If you are experiencing extremely hot water or the water heater has simply shut off, then this could be the problem. To learn more contact Refrigeration, Heating and Cooling.
