South Beaver Dam Homeowners: If Your Water Heater is Leaking, Don’t Go Cold Before Calling for Service!

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

The villain typically isn’t hard to determine. Unless you’re facing an unexpected, really serious plumbing issue, in all likelihood the hot water heater is leaking. It’s inescapable. A water leak in the water heater strikes everyone in South Beaver Dam eventually.

You might have even spotted 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 South Beaver Dam. They’ll clean up the mess and put in a new water heater within hours.

What will the replacement be? Usually, it’s apples for apples. An electric heater is replaced with another. Ditto for gas heaters.

Before contacting 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 a toll.

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

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

Some newer South Beaver Dam homes have power vent water heaters, which might stop working for a totally different reason. Power vent heaters have a flame vapor sensor, which turns 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 South Beaver Dam homeowners ask about tankless water heaters. These units sit 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 better than facing a small flood!

If 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.