The job of a water heater in the home is to provide hot water for everyday tasks like taking a shower, washing dirty dishes, and doing the laundry. Water heaters make your life easier. But as Realty Management warns, sometimes the water heater can do its job too well by heating water above the desired temperature.
Typically, the water coming from your water heater should not be hotter than 120°F. If the water temperature is higher than 120°F, it will be considered too hot in most cases. For obvious reasons, scalding hot water from the shower and faucets in your home cannot be good for your household.
If your water heater is overheating, what are the possible causes of the problem, and how can you solve it? Below are the common reasons why a water heater might overheat. To find the particular issue causing your water heater to overheat, you may need to explore all the possibilities listed below.
Common reasons why your water heater may be overheating
The thermostat settings have changed
If your water heater is overheating, you first want to check if someone has raised the water temperature. This can happen if more than one person is living in the home. Moreover, it can happen without you knowing it.
Most times, though, if someone in your household thinks the hot water set point is too high, they can lower the water temperature by adding more cold water. But there is also a chance that someone has changed the temperature settings for the water heater. Check to make sure this is not the case.
Sediments and buildup on the thermostat
If there is a lot of rust or sediment inside the water heater tank, it can interfere with the thermostat’s function. Buildup on the thermostat will prevent it from sensing when the water inside the tank is up to temperature. As a result, the thermostat will keep the heating element on until the water becomes too hot.
Hard water can also cause this problem, as the minerals contained in the water are deposited on the thermostat. This serves as an insulating layer that keeps the thermostat from sensing the water temperature inside the tank. This problem can be prevented by draining the tank more often.
The thermostat has malfunctioned
A malfunctioning thermostat is one of the most common causes of overheating water heaters. If there is a problem with the thermostat, it will be unable to turn off the heating element. When the control for the heating element inside the thermostat is damaged, it cannot turn off the heating element even when the thermostat says the water is up to temp. The water temperature will keep rising until it becomes dangerously hot. A thermostat can malfunction for any number of reasons.
The pressure relief valve is broken
The pressure relief valve keeps your water heater stable and safe by releasing excess heat and pressure when the temperature inside the tank gets too high. The pressure relief valve regulates the water temperature inside the tank and keeps the water heater from exploding due to excess pressure and temperature within the tank.
If the pressure relief valve stops working because it is blocked, corroded, or compromised, excess steam and pressure inside the tank will not be able to escape. This can cause the water inside the water heater tank to overheat. This will happen even when the thermostat has turned off the heating element.
The heating element is damaged
The heating element generates the heat your water heater needs to produce hot water. Heating elements are only found in electric water heaters. They are designed to take the electricity that flows into them from the wall outlet and convert it into heat energy.
If the heating element is broken, rusted, or coated with excessive sediment, it could cause the water coming from your water heater to be overheated. To know if the heating element is damaged, you must test it using a multimeter. A local plumber can easily replace a broken heating element.
Problems caused by the water heater insulation
In some situations, insulating your water heater is a good idea to make it more efficient. For instance, if the space where the water heater is installed is not conditioned and the unit is not factory-insulated, installing a heavy blanket on the water heater will help prevent heat loss.
At the same time, it is important to know that insulating a water heater can make it overheat. This can happen if the insulation accidentally covers the water heater’s controller or pressure relief valve. Failing to install the insulation right can raise the temperature inside the water heater tank.
In order to live a water heater problem-free life, it only takes a few minutes each week to do a few easy checks. It’s good to protect your family and speak with a professional plumber who will service and check it for you.