5 Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repair

December 2nd, 2015 Posted in Water Heaters
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It is easy to take your water heater for granted. Year after year, it continues to give you hot water when you need it, even with little or no maintenance. However, just like any mechanical equipment, eventually parts will begin to wear out and you could be left with only cold water for your morning shower. Here are some warning signs that your water heater made need maintenance or repair.

  1. Water is not getting as hot as it did before. If your water is not heating to the same level, the thermostat may need to be replaced. It also may need to be flushed to remove mineral deposits.
  2. Banging noises. If your water begins making banging noises, it may need annual service to flush out the mineral deposits from the tank.
  3. Leaks. Any leak around the water heater is a critical warning sign to call your local plumber. A small leak can turn into a large disaster in your home, causing major water damage and mold.
  4. Running out of hot water. If you seem to run out of hot water quicker than normal, it could be a mechanical or electrical problem.
  5. Rusty water. If your water has rust, it may be time for a new water heater. Most water heaters only last between eight and fifteen years, so if you have an older heater, it may be time to invest in a newer, more efficient model.

To extend the life of your water heater, it is prudent to have annual maintenance performed to keep the tank clean and to inspect all the parts.   To prevent future problems, talk to your local plumber about scheduling a routine maintenance service, even if have not had any signs of trouble.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

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Common Signs Of Water Heater Problems

July 10th, 2014 Posted in Water Heaters
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Do you get halfway through your morning shower just to have the hot water run out? How about when you turn on the hot water and have a lovely stream of brown liquid come out of your faucet? These are both common signs of a problem with your water heater. Water heaters are the unsung heroes of your home, working day in and day out; that is, until they stop working correctly or stop working altogether. Most issues are just a sign that your water heater needs maintenance or a minor repair. However, some may be a sign that it’s time to replace the entire unit.

  • Temperature decreases. If your water heater is producing cooler water, it could be something as simple as needing a thermostat replacement or adjustment. Check the heat setting; most water heaters are set between 120-140 degrees. If the setting is correct, you may need to have the thermostat replaced, or you could be encountering a failed heating element or power supply issue.
  • Increased noise. Banging, tapping or other strange sounds are a common sign your water heater needs maintenance. Often it is just mineral build up causing these types of sounds. Schedule an appointment to have your unit flushed and inspected to diagnose the problem.
  • Leaking unit. If you have water puddled by your water heater, it is time to call a professional. Some leaks may be able to be repaired; however, it can be a sign it is time to replace the unit completely. A small leak can quickly become a flood of water which can cause major damage to your home, so don’t wait to call in your plumber.

With annual maintenance, many water heaters can last fifteen years or more. You can avoid many simple issues and extend the life of your unit by keeping it on a regular maintenance schedule with a licensed, local plumber.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing Septic and Sewer

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Why Is My Water Heater Making Strange Noises?

June 18th, 2014 Posted in Water Heaters
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We tend not to think about our water heaters until there is trouble, and water heater trouble can affect the entire house. One of the common signs of a possible problem is when you hear strange noises, such as popping, ticking or hissing sounds. Ignoring these sounds is one of the worst thing you can do if you want to keep your water heater running. When your water heater starts making a racket, it is time to call a plumber to find out what the problem is before it gets even worse and more expensive to fix.

Common Water Heater Noises

There are a few problems which can cause your water heater to start making strange noises. Some are easily fixed, while others may be alerting you that it may be time for a new unit. Before a small issue becomes a big problem, these sounds should be addressed.

  • Popping. You may hear popping noises which start and stop throughout the day. This may be caused by water expanding as it is heated, moving deposits within the heater that have collected. In most cases, regular maintenance and draining the unit will remove the deposits and stop the popping sound.
  • Hammering. If it sounds like a carpenter has taken up residence within your home, hammering on your water pipes, you may have pressure building in your water pipes. This can cause damage to your pipes and home, so this should be inspected right away. Often all that is needed is an arrestor installed to manage the pressure changes.
  • Rumbling. When deposits are allowed to collect inside your water tank, they can clog the drain, creating a rumbling or gurgling sound as it drains. Regular maintenance and draining can usually fix the issue.

While none of these noises necessarily means that your water heater is failing, if left unchecked, the underlying problem could result in a major breakdown or tank leak. To avoid possible major repairs or expensive water damage, have your water heater regularly maintained by a plumbing professional.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.

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Give Your Water Heater A Spring Cleaning

May 26th, 2014 Posted in Water Heaters
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Many water heaters are neglected, despite all the work they do for a home on a daily basis. Just like any appliance, water heaters need regular maintenance to ward off expensive future repairs. One of the regular maintenance services that should be performed on your water heater is draining out the old water and flushing the tank. This spring, take the time to give your water heater the cleaning it needs to do its job for years to come.

Why Clean Your Water Heater?

Over the years, the tank on your water heater can begin to accumulate mineral deposits from the water it processes. These deposits can create mineral formations, and a heavy build up within the tank. This mineral layer acts like insulation between the water and the heating elements, making your water heater work harder. Not only does this waste energy by causing your water heater to stay on longer to heat the water, the heat can damage the metal on your tank, leading to leaks and possibly the need to replace the entire unit.

An easy fix to this issue is draining out the old water once a year and replacing it with fresh water. This can reduce the mineral build up and extend the life of your water heater. In addition, it is also a good time to inspect the other components of the heater, such as the anode rods, replacing any that are getting worn out before they cause an interruption in your hot water. Your local plumber can drain your water heater for you as well as give it an annual inspection, so call them to schedule your spring cleaning today!

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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Water Heating Energy Saving Tips

August 3rd, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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In most homes, a surprisingly large amount of energy is devoted to water heating.  According to EPA estimates, about 25% of the energy usage in a typical home is spent on heating water.  Installing a tankless water heater can result in significant energy savings, but the initial cost can be very high.  If you’re not ready to invest in a tankless water heating system just yet, there are some effective, lower cost solutions that can help you reduce your energy bill without a loss of water heating performance.

Replacing your existing storage type water heater can result in significant energy savings.  Energy efficient storage type water heaters are more widely available than they were just ten to fifteen years ago.  You can reduce your energy consumption for water heating by about 7% by installing an Energy Star qualified water heater.

Sizing the water heater properly can also save big on energy usage.  Installing a water heater that is too large increases energy losses due to standby heat loss.  Choose the smallest size water heater that will provide sufficient hot water for your needs.  Compare the first hour ratings to see how much hot water the water heater can deliver during periods of peak demand.

Installing an insulation blanket on your water heater is a low cost way to minimize standby heat loss.  Depending on how well your water heater is insulated, you can save as much as 9% on water heating energy costs with an insulation blanket.

Heat traps installed in the inlet and outlet pipes can reduce convective heat loss.  Heat trap should be installed by an experienced plumber and the most cost effective time to install them is during a water heater replacement.

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