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

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

The culprit usually isn’t hard to identify. Unless you’re facing an unforeseen, really serious plumbing situation, chances are the hot water heater is leaking. It’s inescapable. A water leak in the water heater happens to everyone in Cambridge eventually.

You might have even picked up on 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 stop. Better call Kelly James Service, the water heater repair, replacement and installation specialists in Cambridge. 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 with 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 a toll.

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

Water heaters can experience 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. Cambridge homeowners frequently ask the question, are you better off just replacing the entire unit?

Some newer Cambridge houses 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 Cambridge homeowners ask about tankless water heaters. These units are mounted on a wall and, instead of storing hot water, heat it on demand. Theoretically they create endless hot water. Their potential drawback is cost. Adding one requires substantial new plumbing infrastructure, which adds up.

Can you boost 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 smart to inspect your water heater monthly. Watch for changes in its appearance or, obviously, leaks. If something looks off, 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.