What would life be like without your home’s hot water heater? Miserable, most likely—cold showers, clothes washing limitations, stuck on food in the sink requiring tons of scrubbing. Of course, those are all first world problems and we should all be really grateful that they’re the biggest things we need to worry about. But when your hot water heater goes out, and water heater repair is the order for the day, it probably won’t be fun and here’s what you’ll need to know about the process. 

Call in the water heater repair pros

When it’s clear your water heater is no longer functioning as it should, it’s time to call the pros. You’ll need a knowledgeable plumber to come in inspect the malfunctioning water heater to determine the source of the problem and whether it can be repaired or must be replaced. If repair is the course, you can expect these steps for water heater repair.   

Testing and more testing

One of the first steps that your plumber will make is to test the electrical components of the water heater to find out if they are to blame for the breakdown. Heating elements are a common problem maker and if that’s the root cause of your hot water heater woes, you’ll be back up and running in now time. In fact, considering all hot water heater problems, replacing the heating elements solves the issue in about 90 percent of all cases. 

A leaky appliance calls for water heater repair

If you find that your water heater is leaking and that water is puddling in the vicinity of the appliance, waste no time and call your trusted water heater repair professional. The sooner you act the less water damage you’ll have to contend with once the repair is made. The problem might simply be the drain valve, temperature pressure relief valve, or element gasket. A seasoned pro will have you back up and running in no time. 

If the appliance is making unusual noises

It’s common for water heaters to bubble gurgle as they process and heat water for use throughout your home. If you begin to hear a knocking sound, it might mean that sediments from the water supply have built up in the bottom of the tank and need to be addressed. Humming might point to a faulty heating element and popping might signal an issue with the water supply.