Dodge County Residents: If Your Water Heater is Leaking, Don’t Go Cold Before Calling for Service!

You step down into your Dodge County basement or lower level, and … splash. What’s this? Why is there water everywhere?

The culprit typically isn’t hard to locate. Unless you’re facing an unanticipated, really serious plumbing issue, in all likelihood the hot water heater is leaking. It’s unavoidable. A water leak in the water heater catches everyone in Dodge County eventually.

You might have even noticed symptoms. Was less hot water suddenly available? Did hot showers mysteriously turn cold? The water heater was sending a message.

If the water heater’s leaking, it’s not going to get better. Better call Kelly James Service, the water heater repair, replacement and installation specialists in Dodge County. They’ll remedy the mess and put in a new water heater within hours.

What will the replacement be? Typically, it’s apples for apples. An electric heater is replaced for another. The same holds for gas heaters.

Before calling Kelly James Service about your hot water heater leaking, note the capacity (in gallons), brand and height of the unit. Pass along this information, so they bring a replacement.

Water heaters last 10 years on average. Their lives are an endless battle against contents of the water they heat. High acidity, iron and calcium all take their toll.

Calcium is the biggest enemy. The mineral erodes a heater’s mechanicals. Even when using municipal water, a water softener is recommended to remove calcium.

Water heaters can sustain other misfires. Gas heaters might have problems with the gas valve or burner assembly. Electric heaters can develop problems with the heating element or thermostat. All can be replaced. Dodge County residents frequently ask the question, are you better off just replacing the entire unit?

Some newer Dodge County houses have power vent water heaters, which might stop heating water for a totally different reason. Power vent heaters have a flame vapor sensor, which shuts off the burner if certain flammables – such as paint cans – are detected nearby. These water heaters are recognizable by a top blower connected to a PVC vent tube.

Many Dodge County homeowners ask about tankless water heaters. These units mount on a wall and, instead of storing hot water, heat it on demand. Theoretically they create endless hot water. Their potential drawback is cost. Installing one requires substantial new plumbing infrastructure, which adds up.

Can you increase the life of your water heater? Sure. Drain a few gallons from its lower drain valve twice a year. This action removes sediment accumulated at the bottom of the tank.

It’s advisable to inspect your water heater monthly. Watch for changes in its appearance or, obviously, leaks. If something looks changed, and it’s getting older, consider having Kelly James Service replace the heater proactively. It’s better than facing a small flood!

If your hot water heater is leaking, shutting off, or just not generating as much hot water as you want, keep one name in mind: Kelly James Service. Their promise is to maximize your hot water, and minimize unwelcome surprises … such as wet feet.