Your Sutherland Shire home’s water heater is a complicated and integral appliance.
It’s advisable to have yearly maintenance performed on this piece of equipment to detect hot water heater element problems, among other potential issues.
Failure to do so can lead to any number of difficulties in the proper functioning of your water heater.
As far as knowing when it’s time for water heater element replacement, you need to know what are some bad water heater element symptoms.
What Are Some Bad Water Heater Element Symptoms?
When it comes to bad water heater element symptoms, there are a few key things to keep an eye out for. One of the most obvious signs of a problem is if the water isn’t heating properly.
If you’ve set the thermostat to the recommended temperature range (usually between 120-140 degrees), but the hot water you’re receiving isn’t that hot or there’s never enough of it, this could be a sign that the water heater element is nearing the end of its lifespan and may need to be tested or replaced.
Another potential symptom of a bad water heater element is if you notice that the water is taking a long time to heat up or if it’s not heating up at all. This could be due to a faulty element that is no longer functioning properly.
If you have a gas water heater, you may notice issues with the gas thermocouple. This is the component that helps to regulate the flow of gas into the burner, so if it’s not working correctly, you may have trouble getting hot water.
It’s important to note that bad water heater element problems should always be handled by a professional plumber. This is because these appliances involve handling hot water, gas, and electricity, and attempting to fix them yourself could be dangerous. If you suspect that there’s an issue with your water heater element, it’s best to call a professional to come and take a look.
Have Water Heater Element Testing Before Replacement
If you’re interested in testing your water heater element before replacing it, there are some steps you can take. It’s important to note that while you can perform this testing yourself, it’s generally recommended to have a professional handle it to avoid any potential hazards like your best local Sutherland Shire plumber.
To perform water heater element testing yourself, you’ll need a multimeter and a screwdriver.
Begin by turning off the power to the water heater and removing the access panel. Be sure to avoid touching any wires, as water heaters typically use 240 volts of electricity.
Next, locate the reset button and place one of the multimeter probes on one of the lines above it. Place the other probe on the outside of the water heater tank. Set the multimeter to the RX1K setting and test the meter by touching the probes together. The needle should move all the way over.
Remove one of the wires, it doesn’t matter which one, and then take the probes and place them on each element screw. If the meter doesn’t move, this indicates that your water heater element is bad and needs to be replaced. If the meter does move, however, the element is still good and you’ll need to look for other potential causes of your water heater issues.
While this testing process can be helpful in determining whether your water heater element needs to be replaced, it’s important to keep in mind that working with hot water, gas, and electricity can be dangerous. If you’re not comfortable handling this type of repair on your own, it’s always best to call in a professional plumber to handle it for you.
For Hot Water Heater Element Concerns, Count on Us
If you are having hot water heater element problems, it’s a good idea to give us a call.
We have a team of highly skilled, trained, and experienced plumbing professionals who can perform water heater element testing for you and detect any hot water heater element problems you may have.
We pride ourselves on delivering excellent services for the Sutherland Shire area. We offer any plumbing services you may require, as well as awesome 24-hour emergency service when you need it.
Call one of our friendly plumbing associates today at (02) 8599 4593, and we’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have as well as offer a free consultation on your water heater element replacement or any other plumbing needs.
