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8 Signs Your Commercial Water Heater Needs to be Repaired

8 Signs Your Commercial Water Heater Needs to be Repaired

Unlike smaller residential models, commercial water heaters are designed to provide hot water for hundreds of people. But despite their heavy-duty construction, the additional strain will eventually cause wear. This could turn into serious damage if left untreated. 

Knowing how to spot early warning signs lets you schedule commercial hot water heater repair well in advance of failure. That means you can avoid costly replacements and unexpected downtime that could otherwise force you to close your premises.

Look out for these 8 key signs that your commercial water heater needs to be repaired to avoid any nasty surprises.

8 signs you need commercial water heater repair

1) Inconsistent water temperature

If you haven’t adjusted your heater’s setting but the temperature of your water keeps changing, it’s a clear sign that your heater is malfunctioning.

This could be simply due to a faulty thermostat. But it could also indicate a buildup of calcium and dirt particles at the bottom of your heater. This sediment layer makes it much harder for your heater to warm the water.

A professional plumber will have the tools and skills necessary to diagnose and fix the problem, returning your heater to peak condition.

For reliable commercial water heater repair near Kansas City, contact DMC Service right away. We even offer 24/7 emergency water heater repair so that we can respond as soon as you need help.

2) Lukewarm water

Water that’s not as hot as you’d like isn’t always a cause for concern. Your heater might be set to vacation mode, the weather might be significantly colder, or you might be using more hot water than usual.

But if these aren’t the case and your water is still lukewarm, there’s most likely a fault with your water heater.

Electric heaters use multiple heating elements to warm your water. If one of these stops working, your water won’t heat as much. A gas heater, on the other hand, works using a burner.

Lukewarm water suggests that your heating elements or burners aren’t functioning properly.

Unless you’re a skilled plumber, trying to fix these yourself can be dangerous. And you might cause more damage that even a pro can’t fix.

Instead, reach out to DMC service for commercial electric or gas water heater repair.

3) Running out of hot water

Since commercial hot water heaters are critical to running your business, they’re designed to have much greater capacity than necessary. This ensures you always have hot water flowing.

So if your commercial water heater starts struggling to meet your building’s needs, something has gone wrong.

Commercial water heater inspection and repair, as well as regular maintenance, can help solve this issue and keep it from coming back.

4) Low water pressure

Mineral deposits in your heater can also lower the pressure of your hot water. When they accumulate near the heating components, they can block pipes and prevent a high volume of water from coming through.

Commercial hot water heater repair clears these deposits, returning your water pressure to optimal levels.

5) Strange noises

A little noise from your commercial hot water heater is perfectly normal. But loud and frequent banging, popping, or rumbling sounds are a clear sign of an underlying problem.

As with many other water heater faults, this is often caused by a buildup of sediment near the heating components. Allowing this buildup to continue will not only reduce your heater’s efficiency, but it could also lead to serious damage.

A professional plumber will flush and clean your commercial water heater, clearing away the sediment and resolving the problem.

6) Leaks

Leaking in any kind of plumbing apparatus is a sign that your system is in urgent need of repair.

Even a small leak can grow quickly, leading to a cracked tank or faulty valves. This is doubly problematic in a commercial hot water heater, as a rupture could scald anyone who’s nearby. The leaking water can also damage your property and encourage the growth of harmful mold.

7) Rusty or discolored water

Rusty water coming from both hot and cold faucets indicates a problem in your water pipes. But when it’s only coming from your hot faucet, you need commercial hot water heater repair.

Tank-style water heaters contain an anode rod made to help prevent corrosion through electrolysis. But when this rod gets damaged, the inside of your heater can start to rust. This is another reason why regular inspection and maintenance is so important.

Drinking or using rusty water can seriously harm your health. So if you notice discoloration in your hot water, contact a trusted commercial plumber right away.

8) Your heater is aging

The older your water heater is, the more likely it is to break down or run inefficiently.

Most commercial water heaters have a lifespan of around 10-15 years. If yours is nearing or has exceeded this age, it’s recommended that you schedule a professional inspection even if there are no obvious signs of fault.

This is also true if it’s been more than a year since your last commercial water heater inspection. Scheduling routine maintenance for the same time each year helps you prevent unexpected failures and extend the lifespan of your heater.

Affordable inspection and repairs now let you avoid expensive replacement and downtime in the future. When you find and fix problems early, you can prevent expensive and irreversible damage.

Commercial water heater repair near Kansas City

Midsize businesses throughout the Kansas City area rely on DMC Service for fast and effective plumbing and HVAC services. We offer full-service commercial water heater repair, maintenance, servicing, replacement, and installation, as well as a 24/7 emergency response service.

Contact us now to schedule commercial hot water heater repair near Kansas City.