One of the most common issues with electric water heaters is they tend to overheat. Of course, when this takes place, you end up with scalding hot water coming out of your sinks and showers. That’s no good! It can also lead to a damaged water heater. So, if you have found yourself in this predicament, you may be wondering what caused the overheating and what you should do. The good news is that your Beavercreek Plumbing & Drain gang has put together the three most common reasons why your electric water heater may be overheating.
1. THE THERMOSTAT
First, think about the thermostat. The water heater’s thermostat tracks the temperature of the water inside the tank. If the water inside drops to a certain temperature, the thermostat will kick the heating element into gear to raise the water’s temperature once again. Your water heater’s thermostat could either be set too high or it could be malfunctioning. Therefore, the first thing you want to check if your water heater is overheating is the thermostat.
2. THE HEATING ELEMENT
Secondly, your electric water heater could be overheating due to a damaged heating element. As with all things, time tends to wear things down, making things less efficient and effective. The same applies to heating elements. More often than not, when a homeowner is dealing with an overheated water heater, the culprit behind the problem is a faulty heating element. If you suspect this may be the case for your water heater, please give us a call.
3. SEDIMENT BUILDUP
Lastly, sediment buildup in the tank can cause your water heater to overheat. When sediments build up over time, it can result in the insulation of the heating elements, which keeps the heat from escaping. This then forces the water heater to work even harder, which results in it overheating. To rectify this problem, the tank must be flushed to be freed from the sediment buildup. As this is a job that does include working with both water and electricity, it’s best to call a licensed plumber for the job.
Leaving an overheated water heater unfixed can lead to permanent damage to the unit and result in a hefty price tag for repairs or replacement. It’s always better to address the overheating issue as soon as possible before it manifests into a more problematic issue. So, if you are encountering problems with your water heater overheating, please give us a call. We’d love to hear from you and get you back up and running in no time!
Call Beavercreek Plumbing & Drain today at (937) 404-6575, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!