Alderley Homeowners: If Your Water Heater is Leaking, Don’t Go Frozen Before Calling for Service!

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

The source usually isn’t hard to find. Unless you’re facing an unexpected, really serious plumbing issue, safe bet is the hot water heater is leaking. It’s inescapable. A water leak in the water heater happens to everyone in Alderley eventually.

You might have even picked up on symptoms. Was less hot water suddenly available? Did hot showers mysteriously turn cold? The water heater was transmitting 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 Alderley. They’ll remedy the mess and install a new water heater within hours.

What will the replacement be? Typically, it’s apples for apples. An electric heater is replaced by another. Ditto 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 eats away a heater’s mechanicals. Even when using municipal water, a water softener is recommended to remove calcium.

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

Some newer Alderley homes have power vent water heaters, which might stop operating 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 identifiable by a top blower connected to a PVC vent tube.

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

Whether your hot water heater is leaking, shutting off, or just not delivering 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.