Hot water is just not something your family can do without. From running your dishwasher to washing your hair, hot water runs your home. When the hot water isn’t running, your patience runs understandably thin.

Your water heater has a keen sense for the least convenient time to malfunction. When [yes, when-not if] it does, The Big Red Truck can be there quickly to set things right. But before you call, let’s see if we can help you identify the problem, and possibly fix it yourself!

Foul Smell and Sacrificial Anode Rods

If your water is giving off a sulfuric [rotten egg] or garlic odor, or if your water runs rust-colored, it’s likely that your sacrificial anode rod is no longer effective. Briefly, your sacrificial anode rod “sacrifices” itself to the corrosion that is normal over time. It’s made up of magnesium or aluminum around a steel core. There also powered anodes that don’t wear out, but might need to be serviced. When your water breaks down the rod, it spares the insides of your tank. Replacing the rod can be a simple DIY fix, and rods are available at most home improvement and plumbing supply retailers. Typically, rods last about 6 years and some water heaters come with multiple rods.

If you’re not comfortable doing that or need help, call the experts at Eyman.

Not Enough Hot Water

There are several reasons you can run out of hot water too quickly:

Your tank may be filled with sediment and debris

Eyman is fully equipped to perform a drain and flush, which will rid your tank of harmful sediment and deposits. This is routine maintenance that should be done annually, and may even be required by your manufacturer’s warranty.

Broken Dip-tube

Your Dip-tube directs cold water to the bottom of your heater, ensuring a proper mix of water. If your Dip-tube is broken, cold water simply floods into the top of the heater, causing tepid or cool water to pour from your faucet. This requires the help of a plumber.

Broken Thermocouple or gas pilot

This control the pilot light on your water heater by sending an electric current when temperatures are off.

Rumbling Noise

A low rumbling sound is likely caused by sediment deposits in the bottom of your tank. When sediment collects, the bottom of your tank overheats. This results in boiling at the base of your tank, which will cause a bubbling sound. In addition, the sediment in the bottom of your tank will add to the commotion. A drain and flush is an easy answer to an annoying problem.

Whether your water heater has you boiling mad or is giving you a cold shoulder, The Big Red Truck will show up fully equipped to solve your problem!