If you’ve got a water heater in your house — and you probably do — you know what it’s like to rely on it without thinking.
Hot shower? Done. Washing dishes? No problem.
Until one day, something doesn’t feel right… and you’re suddenly Googling plumbers at 7am.

I’ve been working on water heaters across Sacramento for years.
And I can tell you — most of the issues I get called for are the same five things.
The good news?
Most of them are preventable, or at least easy to catch early if you know what to watch for.

1. Sediment Buildup (The Slow Killer)

Hands down, this is the most common issue.

If you’ve got a traditional tank-style water heater, it’s heating water on top of mineral deposits that settle at the bottom of the tank.
That buildup acts like a barrier — your heater works harder, runs longer, and eventually starts to overheat or fail altogether.

What you’ll notice:

• Rattling or rumbling sounds
• Longer wait times for hot water
• Water not getting as hot as it used to

What to do:
Flush the tank at least once a year.
I’ve seen 10-year-old units run like new just from regular flushing.

2. Failed Thermostat

If your water is suddenly scalding or ice cold, your thermostat could be shot.
These components regulate temperature — and when they go bad, the heater doesn’t know when to stop.

What you’ll notice:

• Inconsistent water temp
• Water that’s too hot (even dangerous)
• Pilot light stays on, but water stays cold

What to do:
Call someone to check the thermostat or heating element.
This is usually a quick, affordable fix — if you don’t ignore it for too long.

3. Pilot Light or Ignitor Problems (Gas Units)

I’ve seen customers panic when their heater won’t light.
But often it’s just a dirty sensor, a weak ignitor, or a draft blowing out the pilot.

What you’ll notice:

• No hot water at all
• Pilot light keeps going out
• “Reset” works, but problem comes back

What to do:
Have the burner and pilot assembly cleaned.
Don’t keep relighting it endlessly — that’s a red flag, not a fix.

4. Leaking Pressure Relief Valve

This one is sneaky.
The TPR valve is there to protect your tank from pressure buildup.
But if it’s leaking, dripping, or hissing — it’s either faulty or your heater is overpressurized.

What you’ll notice:

• Water pooling under the tank
• Moisture near the valve pipe
• Occasional hissing or dripping sounds

What to do:
Replace the valve.
Or — if pressure is the issue — figure out why it’s rising.

5. Old Age + Corrosion = Time to Let Go

Some heaters just reach the end of the road.
If yours is over 10–12 years old and showing signs of rust, leaks, or constant issues — it might be time to say goodbye.

What you’ll notice:

• Rust-colored water
• Leaks at the base
• Noises + long heat-up times
• Multiple service calls in the same year

What to do:
Have it inspected — and consider replacement.
Repairs get expensive fast once rust sets in.

What We Do at Golden Valley Plumbing

When I show up to look at a water heater, I don’t start with tools.
I start with questions:

• How old is it?
• Any changes in water quality or temp?
• Any noises or recent resets?

Then I run a few checks, open it up, and show you what I see.

If it’s something simple — we fix it.
If it’s failing — we help you replace it with something that fits your home, budget, and water needs.

Want your water heater checked out? Golden Valley Plumbing can come take a look — no pressure, just honest answers.

Final Thought

Most people don’t think about their water heater — until they’re standing in the shower freezing.

But the signs are almost always there ahead of time.
If you know what to look for — and act early — you can save yourself a lot of money (and cold mornings).