Is the hot water you use too hot? Unless the hot water suddenly hurts to the touch, taking a hot shower is a terrific way to wake up in the morning or unwind at night. But believe it or not, your hot water can get even hotter than usual. This is a cautionary indication of a broken water heater. What is the issue, and might your water heater be set too high? And if so, what should you do about an overheating water heater? The potential causes and their solutions are listed below.
1. A Mineral Build-up
You obviously have hard water if you reside in a region like Brampton, Mississauga, or Georgetown. The thing is, you may have a higher percentage of dissolved minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, present in hard water. If it is left untreated, the high mineral concentration will leave crusty deposits in your hot water heater.
Thus, overheating of a water heater can be brought on by mineral buildup on the heating element of a hot water tank. It makes sense that your water will be far too hot when it comes out of the tap if the element in your water heater overheats.
The answer? Good maintenance of the water heater. Once a year, schedule a flushing of your hot water tank. You might need to have the tank emptied and cleaned if there is a significant quantity of mineral buildup (tankless water heaters require flushing, too!). If your water heater is getting close to its typical lifespan of 10 to 15 years, think about replacing it. You might decide to install a water softener in order to avoid issues with hard water.
2. A Faulty Heater Element
A typical electric water heater has two heating elements, one at the top and one at the bottom, which alternate. A burner is located at the base of the tank on gas water heaters. Usually, the heating elements will briefly shut off after the water reaches the predetermined temperature.
However, the cutoff feature could stop working if one component has developed damage or a defect. The outcome is that the water keeps heating up until it is boiling hot.
In this situation, you will require expert water heater repair to replace the broken element.
3. A Broken Heater Thermostat
A malfunctioning water heater thermostat is often to blame when your tap or shower generates scalding hot water that is above the appropriate water temperature. A water heater thermostat regulates the temperature of your water heater’s output. They may require repairs whether they are malfunctioning or simply installed wrong.
4. An Issue with the Pressure Relief Valve
The temperature and pressure relief (T & P) valve on your water heater is a security feature. The T & P valve will enable a tiny amount of water to leak out when the water pressure or temperature inside your hot water tank becomes too much.
However, the water heater’s temperature may sharply increase if the pressure release valve stops functioning properly. At this stage, flooding or even a water heater that bursts are potential alternatives; extremely hot water is probably the best-case scenario.
Conclusion
Overall, there are many possible reasons why your hot water may have gotten hotter than usual. It could be a problem with the water heater itself, or it could be something else entirely. If you’re not sure what’s causing the problem, it’s best to call a professional to take a look.
If you are looking for a company that deals with tankless water heater repairs in Durham, ON, look no further than our services here at Climate Experts. We install, service and maintain all major brands of furnaces and air conditioners, and we are available to serve you for 24/7 emergency services in a quick and timely manner. Call us today, and let us tend to your faulty water heater in no time!
