If your water heater is leaking, not getting hot enough, or making a lot of noise, it’s most likely time to call a plumber, but first, it’s good to do some investigation. Water heaters can be a significant investment, so you want to ensure it lasts as long as possible.
Gather as much information as you can before calling Benjamin Plumbing, we have over 60 years of experience to get you back on track!
This guide will help you identify water heater problems such as:
- Not turning on
- Red light is on or blinking
- Leaks
- Low water pressure
- Water takes too long to heat up
Water Heater Won’t Turn On? How Old Is It?
If your water heater is over ten years old, it may be time for a replacement. Most manufacturers recommend replacing a water heater after ten years of use, but this can vary depending on the quality of your unit and how much maintenance has been done.
- Check the thermostat. If you have a gas water heater and it’s not heating, check the pilot light and make sure it’s lit. There should be a window on the unit where you can see if it’s on or not. You may only need to relight the pilot light.
- Check for power to the unit. Try plugging something else into the outlet (like a lamp) to see if there’s power to the outlet. If not, check your electrical panel and see if any breakers need to be reset.
- Check indicator lights. There could be a power issue if no lights come on after holding down the “test” button.
IMPORTANT: Gas leaks
Gas leaks can be dangerous and hard to detect. If you smell gas, leave the building immediately. Do not turn on or off any lights or appliances, do not touch anything electrical or electronic, including your landline or cell phone. Wait to call for help until you are safely outside the house!
If you smell gas in your home, call 911 immediately from a neighbor’s house or other safe location outside your home. Explain there is a gas leak inside your house and stay outside until they arrive at your location.
IMPORTANT: Carbon monoxide poisoning
If you heat with natural gas, a broken water heater can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Because carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless it can easily go undetected. You may not even realize you’re being exposed to it until you begin feeling dizzy, nauseous, or get a headache.
Proper venting can help ensure carbon monoxide escapes instead of accumulating in the house. Check for condensation or corrosion on the top of the water heater. It could be from moist exhaust gasses escaping from the water heater.
The only way to tell if there is a carbon monoxide leak is with a carbon monoxide detector. You should have carbon monoxide levels checked professionally and install a carbon monoxide detector near your water heater, and on every floor of your home.
Water Heater Control Light is On or Blinking
If you see red lights on your water heater, it’s time to check for problems. Thermostat malfunctions prevent proper heating, overheating from sediment triggers safety sensors, gas supply issues or faulty flame sensors (in gas models) block ignition. Electrical faults like tripped breakers or wiring problems also activate the light, while a steady red often points to power interruptions.
- Flashing lights: If the lights are flashing, it could mean there is a thermostat problem, the pilot light is out, the tank is empty or won’t fill, or there is a power or electrical issue. If you haven’t done so, check your circuit breaker and ensure it hasn’t tripped. If this doesn’t solve your issue, call an electrician to investigate further before troubleshooting yourself.
- Solid red light: A solid red status light means the water heater is shutting down. This typically means there is a failure in whichever system you’re using to heat the water. You may need an experienced electrician as well as a licensed plumber.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting for Red Light on Water Heater
- Turn off power/gas supply immediately for safety.
- Reset the unit: Press the red button (if present) for 3-5 seconds or cycle the power off/on after 5 minutes.
- Check the thermostat again (set to 120°F), clean the flame sensor with fine sandpaper, and verify gas/breaker status; relight pilot if needed.
If the light persists after resets, avoid further DIY to prevent gas leaks or shocks—contact Benjamin Plumbing.
Leaking Water Heater
If there is water on the floor around your water heater, there are a few steps you need to take in order to stay safe.
- Turn off the power and water supply.
- Inspect the outside of the tank.
- Look for any signs of corrosion, cracks, or holes on the exterior of your unit.
- Check water lines for hot and cold water line connections to make sure they’re tight and secure.
- See if there are any puddles forming under the tank or inside its enclosure. Moisture in these areas could indicate internal damage or rusted pipes.
- If you can’t find the source of the leak or if the tank shows signs of significant wear, it might be time to replace your water heater.
Running out of Hot Water Too Quickly
Scale or corrosion buildup: Scale or corrosion inside the water heater can affect performance. This usually happens as the tank ages or if your home has hard water. Even if you don’t see visible rust, lime scale corrosion inside the tank can still damage parts and create small leaks over time. As the scale builds up over time, it can reduce the capacity of the water heater causing the hot water to run out more quickly.
While these issues might seem minor compared to other problems like leaks from valves or thermostats breaking down after years of use – they can still cause severe damage if left unchecked for too long.
Takes Too Long for Hot Water to Get to the Plumbing Fixtures
Another big frustration with water heaters is the time it takes for hot water to actually start flowing. If your shower takes forever to warm up, there are several possible causes to investigate before replacing your water heater. Today, most new homes are constructed with a dedicated return line for efficient hot water circulation. But in older homes without a return line, cooled water sits in the pipes until you turn on a fixture and push it out. If the water heater itself is not the issue, installing a boosting pump can be an effective solution for both plumbing situations.
Installing a Recirculation Pump
At Benjamin Plumbing, we often recommend and install the Grundfos ALPHA hot water recirculation system. Upgrading your system can have a significant impact on reducing the time and amount of water wasted waiting for it to get hot.
Benefits of Grundfos Hot Water Recirculation Pumps:
- Save up to 12,000 gallons of water every year
- Up to 88% reduction on your energy bill
- Deliver instant hot water to every tap
If your water takes too long to heat up, we can evaluate your plumbing and recommend whether a recirculation pump, maintenance, or a new water heater is the best fix for your home.
Need help repairing your water heater?
Old age and wear and tear can affect water heaters, which may cause them to leak. If your water heater has been in use for over ten years, it is recommended you replace the unit before any severe damage occurs. Water heater leaks in the internal shell are difficult to spot, but occur because of age and deterioration in most cases. These are usually easy fixes but should still be addressed immediately so as not to cause further problems in your home’s plumbing system later on.
If your water heater is leaking, not getting hot enough, or making a lot of noise, it’s time to contact Benjamin Plumbing. We have over 60 years of experience providing water heater repair and installation can help you quickly get your water heater back on track!
Benjamin Plumbing offers water heater repair services in Wisconsin at an affordable cost.
Call (608) 271-7071 or email to schedule your free estimate today.
