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

You step down into your Richwood basement or lower level, and … splash. What’s this? Why is there water on the floor?

The villain usually isn’t hard to find. Unless you’re facing an unforeseen, really serious plumbing issue, in all likelihood the hot water heater is leaking. It’s inescapable. A water leak in the water heater catches everyone in Richwood eventually.

You might have even spotted signals. 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 Richwood. 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. 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 survive 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 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. Richwood homeowners frequently ask the question, are you better off just replacing the entire unit?

Some newer Richwood houses have power vent water heaters, which might stop functioning 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 Richwood homeowners ask about tankless water heaters. These units mount on a wall and, instead of storing hot water, heat it on demand. Theoretically they provide endless hot water. Their potential drawback is cost. Installing one requires significant new plumbing infrastructure, which adds up.

Can you extend the life of your water heater? Sure. Drain a few gallons from its lower drain valve twice a year. Doing so 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!

If your hot water heater is leaking, shutting off, or just not producing 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.