Gas Water Heater Problems: Troubleshooting Gas Water Heaters

Gas water heaters are a better option than electric water heaters, because of its reduced usage cost. Your gas water heater may not work properly, because of several reasons. You can fix a non-working gas water heater, if you have the exact knowledge of the problem.

Troubleshooting Gas Water Heaters

Troubleshooting gas water heaters is easy. Sometimes, problems in the functioning of the heater arise due to a malfunction in some components or some other common problem. At times, replacing the faulty component or other non-working part is the solution. Diagnosing the gas water heater problem accurately saves, both time as well as money you may have to spend on repairing.

Heater does not heat the water: If the water heater is not producing hot water, it can be due to a malfunction in the electric thermostat, faulty electric heating element, problems in the pilot control valve operations, gas thermocouple or gas pilot. Check out these components, try replacing or adjusting their positions first. If that doesn't work, change the faulty component.

Heater works very slowly: Incomplete burning operation and improper ventilation cause problems in air combustion, which is a hindrance to the water heating process. Various depositions in the heater due to hard water, affect the heating capacity of the heater. Removing these depositions can solve the problem.

Heater produces noise, while heating: Boiling water or hard water depositions in the water tank of the heater produce noise. Removing these depositions is a way to solve the problem.

Water from the heater stinks: Some water heaters use magnesium rod for heating the water. When these rods react to the bacteria present in the water, they produce hydrogen sulfide, which has the smell of a rotten egg. One way to get around this is by cleaning the water heater with chlorine bleach or using aluminum rods or zinc-alloy rods.

Heater tank is leaking: It is not possible to repair a leaking tank of the heater. In case the tank is leaking, you will have to replace the water heater.

Heater produces rust-colored water: Corrosion due to electrochemical reactions inside the tank, often result in rusty-colored water. In some cases, it also indicates that the anode heating rod needs to be changed.

Leakage in the pressure release valve: High temperatures of water can cause this problem. It can be resolved by turning down the thermostat. At times, it also indicates valve failure; in which case, you need to replace the valve.

Leakage in the drain valve: You need to remove the depositions or change the drain valve from time to time. If the drain valve is leaking, check whether it is closed tightly. Replace the valve, if it is found defective.

Pilot light of the heater does not stay lit: In many cases, it indicates that the problem is thermocouple related. This problem may arise, if the thermocouple in the thermostat assembly is displaced due to some reason. It can be solved by adjusting its position.

A faulty thermocouple can cause the same problem. It such a situation, replacement of the old thermocouple with a new one is the only alternative. The pilot light stays off, if the gas line is turned off or in case of low gas pressure. Even poor air combustion due to contamination in the gas line or thermostat failure induces this problem. It can be fixed by repairing or replacing the faulty part.

Replace and repair the parts of the water heater with precaution. Make sure that the pilot control valve of the heater is turned off, before you start repairing. Secure the water supply to the heater and drain the heater. Always refer to the user manual for settings and troubleshooting tips. If you find the problem too difficult to handle, call for a technician.