Topwater heater problems that can dampen your spirit
Every homeowner loves their HVAC equipment.
I also do.
But my love extends to my bathroom, where I take my hot morning shower. I love taking a hot morning shower before heading to work. It refreshes and rejuvenates me. It also helps start my day in good spirits. One morning I noticed that my topwater heater had a problem, and it messed me up when I least expected. The topwater heater had some leakage and low pressure. To prevent the water leakage from getting worse, I had to call an HVAC technician to come and check it out. I was glad when the HVAC technician came in less than an hour and diagnosed the problem. He was kind enough to point out other problems that most of us experienced with topwater heaters and solve them. He sealed the water leakage and restored pressure in my faucet. He pointed out that my faucets could emit foul smell occasionally, akin to rotten eggs, whenever I turned the water on. This was due to sacrificial rods corroding away, placed in hot water tanks to protect the tank from corrosion. He advised me to change the anode rods when I notice the smell. Typically, these anode rods last between 4-5 years, after which they start smelling if not changed. Apart from the anode rods, a topwater heater can also produce strange sounds. This could be due to burner issues, combustion leaks, or calcium deposits in the water heater. The HVAC technician’s advice was enlightening and timely. Since then, I always knew what to do when each of the signs of weakness appeared on my top water heater.