Water Heater Repair Services in Alexandria, Virginia & Other Areas

If your water heater is making noises or is not providing enough hot water, these are signs of system failure. We provide water heater repair services to residents in areas of Virginia such as Arlington, Alexandria, Waterford, Centreville, and Reston. Give us a call by phone at (703) 543-9649 or book an appointment to receive assistance.

Signs It’s Time For a Water Heater Repair

Water Discoloration

It goes without saying that your faucet water should always be colorless! A rusty tank or brownish water means your water heater tank needs some assessment to determine the cause. Rust and sedimentation inside the tank can produce little particles in your water, which can be hazardous.

Inconsistent Water Temperature

Your water heater has been designed with two heating elements. The dual-elements are controlled by two separate thermostats. The upper element heats the upper portion and shuts off when it has reached a certain temperature.

The lower heating element takes in the cold water and housles it until it is needed for the upper element. If you are experiencing quick hot water loss, it is possible that one of the elements is not functioning properly, and will require a water heater repair.

Noisy Tank

Most of our household appliances are going to make some noise while operating. However, water heater tanks are usually tucked away and tend to be on the quieter side. If you notice any unusual noises that become louder, it might be time to schedule a water heater repair appointment with a licensed technician to assess if your system is working properly.

Signs of Corrosion

Checking the outside of your water heater tank can give you an insight into what’s going on inside. Water heaters are meant to last an average of 8-12 years, in order to get the most out of your water heater, it is important to have it cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. If your water heater has begun to corrode, scheduling a water heater repair might be in order.

To most, our gas water heaters look like a tube that is tucked away in our laundry room and storage closets — our skilled technicians at Snell see them for their complex components, and have been trained to know their ins and outs!

The Main Components of a Gas Water Heater

The Tank, Dip Tube, and Discharge Pipe

The largest component of your system is the tank which holds the water. Cold water meets the tank using the dip tube, which extends from the top of the tube to the bottom. The water is then heated and rises to the top to exit through the discharge pipe.

The discharge pipe carries the heated water throughout your home. The cold water line entering the tank does have a shut-off valve. However, this should only be used to shut off the water during an emergency water heater repair.

The Gas Burner and Assembly

The heat source in a gas water heater is the gas burner. The gas burner is underneath the tank, but the controls are arms-length on the side of the tank. The controls can be used like a thermostat to change the temperature and ignite the pilot light. A gas line is also along the sides of the tank.

The gas line has a shut-off valve, which can be turned off in a gas emergency. If you are having issues with the gas burners or other components in your system, give our team a call by phone at (703) 543-9649 to schedule an appointment. Our technicians offer water heater services in areas of Virginia such as Reston, Alexandria, Centreville, and Arlington. Our team has the tools necessary to inspect and resolve issues with your gas burners and other components.

The Exhaust Flue

Using gas to heat water creates other gases that are generated during combustion. The exhaust flue is responsible for venting those gases away from the burner. The exhaust flue also acts as a heat exchanger. The flue should be vented outside of your home to flush the gases. If you notice an odd smell near your system, this may be a sign of a gas leak. Immediately evacuate your house and call a professional to perform an emergency water heater repair.

The Pressure Relief Valve and the Drain Valve

A pressure relief valve is a safety component used to control or limit the pressure built up inside the tank. Pressure and excessive heat can be dangerous. This valve is important to ensure the tank does not burst or explode. The pressure relief valve is located on top of your tank.

The drain valve is located at the bottom of the tank. This valve can be used to flush sediments from the tank. The build-up of sediments can cause damage to your tank. Draining your tank every once in a while is a good maintenance measure to ensure no build-up. By scheduling a water service repair you can have your tank drained by a profession at Snell.

This should help homeowners better understand your gas water heater and all its components. Checking these components regularly can help you determine whether it is time for a gas water heater repair.

Electric Water Heater Components

The Heating Element

The heating element consists of an inner wire surrounded by the filler material which is enclosed in a sheath of copper or stainless steel. The thermostat allows electric currents to flow through the inner wire. The inner wire creates heat that is passed to the filler material or outer sheath.

Once transferred, it is then absorbed by the water. If your water heater is not producing hot water, this may be due to a broken heating element. Snell Heating & Air Conditioning provides replacement heating elements along with dependable water heater repair services to homes in Virginia. Elements can be offered in different wattages or materials to meet specific heating requirements.

The Control Circuit

The single-phase control circuit comes equipped with a high limit control switch with reset button, upper thermostat, lower thermostat, two heating elements, and wires. The upper thermostat sends electric energy to the upper heating element until the temperature in the upper third of the tank reaches the set thermostat setting. Then, power is transferred to the lower heating element until the remaining water reaches the lower thermostat setting.

The high limit control switch will trip and shut off the power elements if the water temperature exceeds 170°F. Homeowners may also have a single element water heater, which has one element mounted at the bottom of the tank. The single element is controlled by a thermostat and high limit switch.

Running through this simple checklist will help you determine whether it might be time for a water heater repair service.

Types of Water Heater Noises & How to Fix Them

It is normal for your gas or electric water heater to produce noises while it’s heating water in your home. On the other hand, there are a variety of noises you should be familiar with that may indicate a water heater issue. To help you diagnose an issue with your system, we have compiled a list of various types of water heater noises and what they mean.

Popping Noises

To prevent an accumulation of magnesium and calcium in your tank, it’s important to flush your water heater one or more times per year. As the water heater in your house becomes older, it will begin to collect sediment.

The sediment will begin to accumulate at the bottom of the water tank as the water is being heated by your heating elements or gas burner. As the water travels through the pipes to your house, minerals from the ground become dissolved in the water. Once the water reaches the water heater, the calcium and magnesium particles begin to separate from the water to form lime scale. If the accumulation of sediment in your tank becomes too severe, you may begin to hear a popping sound.

The licensed plumbers at Snell Heating & Air will help you drain your water heater to remove the limescale. Give our team a call by phone at (703) 543-9649 to receive help with a water heater issue. Snell Heating & Air provides dependable water heater repair services to homes in Arlington and other areas of Virginia.

Sizzling Noise

Sizzling sounds may be a signal of reduced water flow in your gas or electric water heater. This noise may be caused by a high quantity of pressure or water in your water tank. This is a frequent issue that occurs due to a malfunctioning temperature and pressure relief valve. This valve is engineered to release excess water from the tank if the pressure becomes too high. To prevent damage to your water heater, call a licensed plumber to perform water heater services and deactivate the system.

If you are lucky, the sizzling noise from your water heater may be caused by a partially closed water inlet valve. This valve is designed to provide your heater with a supply of cold water from your house. To eliminate this noise, adjust the water valve to ensure it’s open. We also recommend checking the water outlet valve to ensure it’s not closed.

Tapping Sounds

The water inlet and outlet valves on your water heater may include a heat trap. This is a mechanism that is engineered to stop heat from escaping as it enters and exits your water heater. To eliminate the tapping sound in your water heater, you may want to consider purchasing valves that do not contain heat trap mechanisms. To receive help with replacing or installing valves on your water heater, give our team a call by phone at (703) 543-9649. Our team of certified plumbers offer water heater repair services to homes.

Rumbling Noises

As the temperature of the water in your water heater begins to rise, the water expands. This allows the water to depart from the limescale at the bottom of the water tank. As the warm water emerges, your water heater will produce a rumbling sound. Is your system not producing a rumbling noise? This is an indicator of a severe sediment buildup in your tank.

Once the buildup of magnesium and calcium at the bottom of the tank becomes too severe, the water heater in your home will become less efficient. To prevent high utility bills, we recommend contacting a local plumber in your area to drain your water tank. Snell Heating & Air Conditioning provides fast, efficient, and safe water heater repair services to homeowners in Alexandria and other areas of Virginia

Water Heater Repair Services Near You in Virginia

No matter what type of water heater repair you may need, Snell Heating & Air Conditioning will be here to help. If our professionals are not able to fix your system, we will perform a water heater installation to restore hot water in your kitchen or bathroom. We provide water heater services to homes in areas of Virginia including Centreville, Alexandria, and Arlington. Reach out to one of our water heater experts today!