A newly installed tank water heater by Dial ONE Schilling, showing a visible service sticker, in a home in Long Beach or Lakewood, California.

8 Common Water Heater Problems in Long Beach & Lakewood: How to Fix Them Fast!

Tired of Cold Showers in Long Beach or Lakewood?

If your water heater is acting up, you’re not alone. Homeowners across Long Beach and Lakewood deal with no hot water, leaks, strange noises, and other frustrating issues. Some problems have simple solutions. Others need a licensed plumber.

This guide walks you through the most common water heater problems, how to spot them, what to check, and when to call in the pros at Dial ONE Schilling for expert water heater services.

What Type of Water Heater Do You Have?

Is your water heater tank or tankless? The answer affects what might go wrong and how to fix it.

  • Tank Water Heaters store a set amount of hot water and use a thermostat to maintain temperature. Most last 8–12 years.
  • Tankless Water Heaters heat water on demand, offering energy efficiency and a longer lifespan (15–20 years). But they may be sensitive to hard water buildup.

Knowing which type you have helps narrow down the issue.

8 Water Heater Issues Homeowners Face in Long Beach & Lakewood

From cold showers to strange banging noises, water heater issues can happen suddenly or build up over time. Below are the 8 most common problems we see in Long Beach and Lakewood homes, how to troubleshoot them, and when to bring in a professional Lakewood water heater expert.

1. Why Is My Water Heater Not Heating?

What you might notice:

  • Water is completely cold
  • You run out of hot water quickly

Common causes:

  • The pilot light (on gas units) has gone out
  • A circuit breaker (on electric units) has tripped
  • The water heater’s thermostat isn’t working
  • Sediment has built up inside the tank

What you can try:

  • Check your home’s circuit breaker panel. If a switch is off, flip it back on.
  • If you have a gas heater, check for instructions on the unit to safely relight the pilot light.
  • Make sure the water heater’s temperature is set to around 120°F.

When to call a pro:

  • The water is still cold after checking these items
  • The breaker keeps tripping
  • You smell gas — this is an emergency

For reliable solutions, contact us for water heater repair.

2. Why Is My Water Heater Leaking?

What you might notice:

  • Water pooling near the bottom of the heater
  • Damp spots or dripping pipes

Common causes:

  • Loose pipes or fittings
  • A pressure relief valve dripping
  • Rust or corrosion inside the tank

What you can try:

  • Look around the water heater for obvious leaks from pipes or connections.
  • If you see a small pipe sticking out from the top or side that’s dripping occasionally, that’s a safety valve. It’s normal for it to release small amounts of water. But steady dripping may signal a problem.

When to call a pro:

  • Water is leaking from the tank itself, often requiring water heater replacement
  • Leaks are steady or increasing
  • You notice rust or discoloration

3. Why Is My Water Heater Making a Popping Noise?

What you might notice:

  • Rumbling or popping noises from the tank

Common cause:

  • Mineral deposits (sediment) have collected at the bottom of the tank

What you can try:

  • Flush the tank once a year to remove mineral buildup
  • Only attempt if you’re confident or familiar with the process

When to call a pro:

  • The noise continues
  • You’re unsure how to flush the tank or don’t want to risk it

4. Why Does My Hot Water Smell Bad or Look Rusty?

What you might notice:

  • A rotten egg smell (like sulfur)
  • Cloudy or reddish hot water

Common causes:

  • Bacteria growth in the tank
  • Rust forming inside the water heater
  • A worn-out metal rod that protects the tank from corrosion

What you can try:

  • Fill a glass with hot water from your faucet
  • Run the water for a minute to see if the smell or discoloration clears
  • Test other faucets to see if the issue is isolated

When to call a pro:

  • The water stays discolored or smelly
  • The problem happens at multiple faucets

5. Why Is My Hot Water Scalding?

What you might notice:

  • Water feels dangerously hot or scalds you

Common causes:

  • The thermostat is set too high
  • The temperature control is broken

What you can try:

  • Look for the control panel on your water heater and adjust the temperature down to about 120°F.

When to call a pro:

  • You can’t find or adjust the thermostat
  • The temperature doesn’t change after adjusting

6. Why Is the Water Pressure Low for Hot Water?

What you might notice:

  • Weak water flow from faucets or showerheads when using hot water

Common causes:

  • Mineral buildup inside the pipes or fixtures
  • Partially closed water valves
  • Older homes with narrow or clogged pipes

What you can try:

  • Compare the hot and cold water pressure. If cold is fine but hot is weak, the issue is likely in the hot water system
  • Try unscrewing the screen (aerator) on your faucet and rinsing it clean

When to call a pro:

  • Pressure is low throughout the house
  • Cleaning faucet screens doesn’t help
  • You live in a known hard water area like Lakewood or Long Beach and need specialized Lakewood water heater troubleshooting

7. Why Won’t My Pilot Light Stay Lit?

What you might notice:

  • No hot water and the pilot light keeps going out (for gas heaters)

Common causes:

  • A dirty sensor
  • Gas supply issues
  • Drafts blowing out the flame

What you can try:

  • Follow the instructions on your water heater to relight the pilot light

When to call a pro:

  • The pilot won’t stay lit
  • You detect a gas smell — this is an emergency

8. Why Does It Take So Long for Hot Water to Reach My Faucet?

What you might notice:

  • You turn on the tap and wait a long time before hot water comes out

Common causes:

  • The faucet is far from the water heater
  • Pipes are not insulated
  • You don’t have a hot water recirculation system

What you can try:

  • Note which faucets take longest as distance may be the issue

When to call a pro:

  • Delay is extreme or worsening
  • You’re considering a hot water recirculation upgrade

Hard Water Problems in Long Beach & Lakewood

Local water in Long Beach and Lakewood contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. This leads to:

  • Sediment buildup in tanks
  • Reduced heating efficiency
  • Corrosion of internal parts
  • Shorter equipment lifespan

If you’ve never flushed your tank or checked your anode rod, hard water may already be causing damage. Learn more about water heater maintenance.

How to Prevent Water Heater Problems

Routine maintenance can add years to your water heater’s life. We recommend:

  • Annual tank flushing
  • Anode rod inspection every 2–3 years
  • T&P valve testing
  • Checking for signs of corrosion or leaks

Should You Repair or Replace Your Water Heater?

Replace your water heater if:

  • It’s 10+ years old
  • Repairs are frequent
  • The tank is leaking
  • You’re upgrading to tankless

Our team provides professional water heater installation.

Repair may be enough if:

  • The unit is newer
  • The issue is minor (e.g., thermostat or pilot light)
  • No tank damage is present

Need Fast Help in Long Beach, Lakewood or Nearby Cities?

Dial ONE Schilling has been helping local homeowners since 1981. We’re known for:

  • Prompt response times
  • Honest, up-front pricing
  • Expert diagnosis and lasting repairs

Whether it’s a water heater emergency or just a suspicious noise, we’ll take care of it. FAST!

562-595-1448

Keep Your Hot Water Flowing. Stay Ahead of Problems!

Don’t wait until your next cold shower. If something feels off with your water heater, now’s the time to fix it or replace it. Contact Dial ONE Schilling for expert water heater repair and installation in Long Beach, or visit our dedicated page for Lakewood water heater repair and installation services.