Call A Water Heater Repair Company To Reinstate Your Right To A Hot Shower! | Schertz, TX
Whether you realize it or not, you rely on hot water almost every single day. From taking showers and washing dishes to washing your hands and more, hot water is an essential part of your daily routine. What you might not know is that water heaters don’t last for an especially long time, and there’s only so much you can do in terms of water heater repair. If you want to make sure the water heater in your Schertz, TX, home is always ready to deliver hot water, here are some tips to help you decide when to call a plumbing company.
Water Heater Age
Calling a water heater repair company is generally worth it if your water heater isn’t especially old, but you might want to rethink that call if your water heater is particularly old. Water heaters don’t last very long, and your old water heater may be making your power bill unnecessarily high.
As a general rule of thumb, water heaters are designed to last between 10 and 15 years. That means that if your water heater is more than 10 or 15 years old, it might be time to have a new water heater installed.
Keep in mind that the life of your water heater may vary based on how well you maintain it. If you want your water heater to last as long as possible, have an expert drain it to remove sediment at least once a year.
Strange Noises
The water heater in your home should make a little noise when it’s operating, but you shouldn’t hear loud and/or strange noises coming from your water heater.
You may notice a sizzling, hissing, or crackling sound coming from your water heater if there’s something wrong with it. These sounds can usually be attributed to a buildup of sediment in the bottom of the tank, but you should have your water heater checked out if it’s making any strange noises.
If you hear a screeching sound coming from your water heater, call a water heater repair company to check out the valves on your water heater. A loose valve can cause a sort of screeching or whistling sound, and it can also lead to a costly water heater leak.
No Hot Water
You expect your water heater to deliver hot water whenever you need it, so it can be quite alarming when you’re only getting cold water out of your faucet. If you have no hot water in your home, you should call a plumbing company to check things out as soon as you get a chance.
A lack of hot water is often the result of a problem with a heating element. There are both upper and lower heating elements in your electric water heater, and both heating elements need to function properly to heat a full tank of water to the proper temperature. The good news is that a water heater repair expert can replace both of your heating elements in a short time.
If you have warm water but it’s not getting hot enough, you may have one bad heating element or a problem with one of the thermostats in your water heater. Thermostat problems are especially important to deal with because maintaining the proper water heater temperature helps you prevent water contamination and avoid scalding when you’re showering or washing your hands.
Leaks
A water heater leak might not seem like a big deal at first, but leaks only get worse as time goes on. Whether your water heater is leaking from the tank, from a loose valve, or from one of the water lines it’s connected to, you should call a water heater repair company.
The easiest leaks to fix are the ones that come from connected water lines. These leaks have a minimal effect on your actual water heater, plus they can be fixed by replacing pipes and fittings that connect to your water heater. That being said, it’s still crucial to get these leaks fixed as quickly as possible.
If the water heater in your Schertz, TX, home is leaking from the tank, that’s a sign of a bigger problem. Tank leaks are caused by corrosion of the actual water heater tank, which is something your water heater repair company can’t fix. If you have a water heater tank leak, it may be time to replace your water heater.
The 50% Rule
Speaking of replacing your water heater, you should consider the 50% rule when you’re looking at the potential cost of water heater repairs. This rule states that if your water heater has exceeded 50% of its expected lifespan and the repair costs are more than 50% of the cost of replacing the unit, you should opt for a new water heater.
There are a lot of factors that go into deciding between water heater repair and replacement. You might consider upgrading your water heater a little early if you want to switch to tankless, or maybe you want to upgrade for improved efficiency. You can always talk to your plumber about which option is best for you and your Schertz, TX, home.
Get Your Water Heater Fixed Today
Waking up without hot water makes life a lot more difficult, especially during the cold winter months. The good news is that you can prevent water heater problems with a little maintenance and the occasional inspection. If you haven’t had anybody take a look at your water heater in several years, now might be a good time to call a plumber to check it out.
Do you need water heater repair or replacement services for your home? Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio to schedule service with one of our plumbing experts today.
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