How to Know When to Break Up With An Old Water Heater

The Right Time For a New Water Heater

The water heater gets daily usage in most homes as it provides the household with hot water for essential tasks such as cooking or cleaning. Homeowners may take their water heater for granted until it breaks down. Hot water on demand is critical to the safety and comfort of modern homes.

In this article, our expert plumbers share advice on when to replace that old water heater. No water heater can last forever, and after about ten years, most water heaters need frequent maintenance and repairs. By returning an outdated water heater, homeowners can keep their utility bills low, spend less time on water heater maintenance, and protect the safety of their homes.

Aging Water Heater Malfunctioning

After about ten years, homeowners may notice that their water heater is less efficient than it used to be. Most water heaters only last between eight to 12 years, with an average life expectancy of ten years. By doing regular system maintenance, homeowners can drastically improve the longevity of their system.

Some water heaters last longer than others. Electric water heaters last up to 15 years, which is slightly longer than their gas water heater counterparts. The most efficient type of water heater system is a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters reduce energy use for maximum efficiency and last for around 20 years, ten years longer than gas water heaters.

Preventing a Leaking Water Heater

Leaking water heater When a water heater starts to leak, it could indicate a severe problem. Water heater leaks should never be ignored because if the water reaches the home’s electrical wiring, it could lead to a house fire. Doing regular water heater service can help prevent water heater leaks.

The most common reason for a leaking water tank is corrosion is a build-up of sediment within the system. Sediment build-up in water heaters results from natural minerals in the water separating into solids when heated.

Over time the sediment can be too much for the system, causing the internal pressure to spike, which wears down the inside of the tank until it springs a leak. The technician will safely remove sediment from the tank during water heater maintenance to prevent corrosion.

 

fixing a water heater

Water Heater Is Not Working

When the water heater fails to heat water, this indicates a problem with the system. A broken heating element could be why the system is not working. Replacing the water heater may be the only option if the heating element is not repairable.

Another reason why a water heater may not be working correctly, especially if it is a newly installed system, is if the water heater tank is improperly fitted. Trusting an experienced local water heater installer with water heater installation and maintenance can help to prevent problems down the line. Improper installation can void manufacturers’ warranties, cause a spike in the power bill, and be dangerous for the safety of the household.

About Super Plumbers

Super Plumbers is a local plumbing company with high-quality services from trusted technicians. They are committed to the safety and comfort of their neighbors. Give them a call today to schedule an appointment for water heater installation or repair in Tyler, TX, and the surrounding communities!

Check a New Water Heater Off of The Holiday Wish List

Isn’t a New Water Heater the Perfect Gift for a Loved One This Holiday Season?

When thinking of holiday gifts, most consumers don’t think about gifting loved ones with major home appliances or repairs like upgrading the home water heater. Gifts usually consist of coffee mugs or toys for the kids, but why give gifts that the receiver might not use? A water heater might not be affordable for some homeowners and would be a delightful surprise in that instance. Financing the purchase as a group could be a great way to fund the gift without breaking the personal budget. Group gifts are fun because the group can plan together and share the experience. Holidays are about caring for others and showing them that they are important!

Is the Water Heater Malfunctioning?

Not sure what signs to look for that point to water heater trouble? The following are a few examples of red flags:

  • Very little hot water: Most water heaters hold 30-50 gallons of water in storage. If the hot water is lukewarm or takes longer than usual to warm up, that is often a sign of failing water heaters.
  • Popping or rumbling: Hard water and mineral buildup cause a layer at the top of the tank that forms air pockets that boil when water is heated. Popping and rumbling are heard when the air pockets burst.
  • Water is cloudy or metallic scented: Murky or ill-scented water is caused by mineral deposits being expelled by the water heater. The deposits can cause rust or clog pipes.
  • Leaking pressure release valve: A leaking or faulty valve could indicate that pressure in the tank has gotten too high due to mineral deposits in the system. This could be dangerous and cause the tank to exceed boiling point and rocket through multiple floors of the home. Call a water heater company immediately for a water heater service call.  
  • Leaking tank: Corrosion from mineral deposits can rust the bottom of the water heater tank over time, causing water to leak onto the floor of the home surrounding the water heater. 

When To Repair Instead of Replacing?

water heater Common problems that water heaters have that require a repair service call rather than replacement include: 

  • Parts replacement
  • System reset
  • Water heater flush 

As a preventative measure, water heaters should be flushed out twice per year to maintain the system and help it last as long as possible. Of course, if the system is leaking gallons of water or simply isn’t providing enough hot water for the family, an upgrade may be needed. 

Benefits of Installing a New Water Heater

water heater Installing a new water heater will save money because more recent models are more energy-efficient, which is great for the wallet and the environment. An environmentally-friendly option is a tankless water heater. Older water heaters get louder as they age, so a newer model would decrease the noise in the home. 

If the family has grown larger since the unit was originally installed, a larger unit will allow for longer showers or the ability to get more laundry done before the hot water runs out. 

Another major benefit is that newer units' life expectancy is at least 10 years, so, with proper maintenance, homeowners with new units shouldn’t have to worry for at least that long.

About Super Plumbers

Super Plumbers, located in Tyler, TX, provides a range of plumbing services to homeowners in need. They are a local and family-owned business that has been awarded “Top 3 Local Plumbers in Tyler” for 2021 because of the prompt, high-quality service and 100% satisfaction guarantee they provide. Contact them for water heater services in Tyler today!

Do You Know the Right Way to Install an Electric Water Heater?

A Word of Advice Before Installing Your Electric Water Heater

If you are thinking about installing an electric water heater without the help of a professional to try and save a few bucks, you may want to reconsider. Simply put, without the knowledge and skill-set acquired through years of service in the industry, it is difficult to ensure the safety of you and your home while installing a water heater on your own. You will also most likely end up spending more money as a result.

Professionals are trained to fix problems and install equipment as safely and efficiently as possible. Therefore, it will be difficult to do so without said knowledge and skill-set, no matter how detailed a “how-to” article is that you are following. Keep reading to learn more about the precautions necessary to take before installing a water heater without a professional.

What Is an Electric Water Heater?

water heater Water heaters have become a necessity for the modern home. You will not likely walk into a home that doesn’t have a water heater, and you won’t likely own a home without installing a water heater into it at some point.

A water heater is the appliance in every home that allows you to have hot water flowing through your sinks, shower, and washing and dishwashing machines. Essentially, gas water heaters and electric water heaters work the same way.

The cold water comes in through a dip tube, and it is heated through means of electricity in the water tank. The hot water then rises to the top of the tank and exits through the heat-out pipe where it enters the home. This all seems very simple, and at its core, it is. However, the installation process is not as simple.

The Dangers of Self-Installation

There are actually many dangers to be aware of when installing an electric water heater. Whether you are a professional or not, these dangers are ever-present and demand attention for the safety of you and your home as well as anyone that lives near you.

safety dangers

If a water heater isn’t installed properly, it becomes a fire hazard, as well as an explosion hazard and even health hazard. Things that call for water heater safety dangers include:

  • Water leaks
  • Blocked pipes or valves
  • Bacterial contamination
  • Ignition source

All of these issues could potentially lead to fire, explosion or sickness. Not to mention you could potentially electrocute yourself during installation.

When in Doubt Call a Plumber

call us Calling a professional plumber is the only way to know that the water heater is being installed properly. Even if you didn’t have a professional install it, you would still need to call a plumber for a maintenance check-up to make sure everything was in working order.

Either way, you would not be saving yourself any money by trying to install a water heater on your own so it is best to just call a professional from the get-go. Before doing so though, you want to make sure the company is bonded and insured in case there happen to be any issues during install, because as previously mentioned, installing a water heater can be dangerous whether you are a professional or not.

Hiring a company that is bonded and insured means you don’t have to worry about the job getting done right because even if something happens, the company will make sure everything is in working order before they leave.

Super Plumbers Works for You

Super Plumbers offers 24-hour response so you know you will be able to speak with a professional no matter what time it is. They are here to make your life easier and safer, and they even offer plumbing service coupons on their website to help make the experience as cheap as possible. Super Plumbers cares about you and won’t leave until you are 100% satisfied, that’s their promise.