Water Heater Repair: How The Water Heater Works And How It Came To Be | San Antonio, TX
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The water heater is an integral component of any plumbing system. When the water heater isn’t working properly, it can cause your day to come to a halt or make it very difficult to get through daily tasks. For the water streaming through your pipelines, it comes in cold. In order for your plumbing system to produce either warm or hot water, it must go through the water heating appliance. If the water heater isn’t working correctly you will need to contact a professional for urgent water heater repair service. The first step to caring for your water heater is understanding how it should work. The next step is having a reliable plumber on call for any necessary repair or maintenance services. If you live in or around the San Antonio, TX, area, and are in need of professional water heater repair, contact the staff at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio.
The Water Heater: A Brief History
There are many different types of water heating appliances on the market today. The original water heater was invented in the late 1860s by Benjamin Waddy Maughan. Some dispute the fact that he was the original inventor of the hot water heater because his invention wasn’t practical at the time. The invention Maughan patented in 1868 was known as the Gas Geyser. This device used natural gas to heat water. The reason it did not work, is because there was no ventilation system included that could get rid of the gas vapors in the air, which made it a very risky appliance to use. Today’s water heaters are equipped with such systems, making them safe for household use. If you have reason to suspect your water heater isn’t venting properly or malfunctions, contact a professional plumber for immediate water heater repair.
It wasn’t until a man by the name of Edwin Ruud updated the invention and created an appliance that looks very similar to the water heaters we have today. The apparatus he created was a cast iron, a gas-heated machine that had to be manually turned on to activate the burners and heat the water. Edwin Ruud went on to form his own company after purchasing the rights to his own invention. The Ruud name is a well-known and well-respected name in water heater history till this day.
How The Water Heater Works
There are various types of water heaters available on the market today. There are water heaters that run on gas and some that run on natural gas. All in all, it does not matter what type of water heater you own, they all operate the same on a rudimentary level. These complex appliances require regular maintenance in order to remain operational and efficient for years to come. If you live in or around the San Antonio, TX, area and are in need of repair or maintenance services, contact the staff at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio to schedule service today.
The Conventional Water Heater
The conventional water heater is the most commonly owned water heater in the U.S. These water heaters can run on both gas and electricity. The second most popular water heater is the tankless water heater. Since conventional water heaters are the most popular, that is the one that will be discussed in this passage. When it comes to water heater repair and maintenance, it is important to find a company that can work with all types of water heaters. Diverse knowledge of water heaters and how they operate will ensure better repair and promote longevity for your water heating appliance.
The most characteristic component of the conventional water heater is its large tank. The water heater tank can typically hold between 40 and 60 gallons of water at any given time. The water is funneled into the water heater’s tank via a dip tube. The water is then heated inside the tank and constantly kept at a certain temperature in order to keep a supply of hot water at all times, for use at any time. The temperature is controlled by a thermostat. There are several valves used to control and even stop the influx of water in case of a water heater malfunction. Electric water heaters use a form of electric heat to heat the tank, while gas-powered water heaters use fire to generate heat. Maintaining these appliances is of the utmost importance. If any of these components were to become faulty or malfunction, you should contact an emergency plumber for urgent water heater repair services.
Water Heater Issues
Water heater issues can cause serious damage to your home and other aspects of your plumbing system. The best way to handle a water heater appliance malfunction is by preventing it from occurring in the first place. Periodic water heater maintenance services can reduce the amount of water heater malfunctions you experience. Periodic water heater maintenance can also extend the lifespan of your appliance and increase its efficiency. In the case of a water heater malfunction, you must act fast. The best thing to do is to contact a professional plumber for water heater repair and directions. Depending on the malfunction, an expert plumber may suggest either turning off the gas or water supply to the water heater itself. If you cannot do this, they may suggest cutting off the supply to the entire home. This is an important step because water heater heaters can be extremely damaging and dangerous at times.
Gas Leaks and Power issues
If you are experiencing a gas leak or connectivity issues to your water heater appliance, it will cause your water heater to stop working. You will know because there will be no available hot water in the entirety of the home. Gas leaks can cause serious issues and should be attended to immediately for water heater repair and gas line service. If it is an issue with an electrical water heater, you should also contact a professional for immediate water heater repair.
Other Water Heater issues
Other water heater issues include tank leaks, rusty water, temperature issues. If you are experiencing any issues with your water heater and live in the San Antonio, TX, area, contact the staff at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio for all of your water heater repair and maintenance needs.