Hales Corners Homeowners: If Your Water Heater is Leaking, Don’t Go Cold Before Calling for Service!

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

The culprit typically isn’t hard to find. Unless you’re facing a sudden, really serious plumbing scenario, it’s likely the hot water heater is leaking. It’s inescapable. A water leak in the water heater catches everyone in Hales Corners eventually.

You might have even spotted warning signs. Was less hot water suddenly available? Did hot showers inexplicably 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 Hales Corners. They’ll fix the mess and install 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 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 operate 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 destroys a heater’s mechanicals. Even when using municipal water, a water softener is advisable to remove calcium.

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

Some newer Hales Corners houses have power vent water heaters, which might stop functioning 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 Hales Corners homeowners inquire about tankless water heaters. These units are mounted 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 boost the life of your water heater? Sure. Drain a few gallons from its lower drain valve twice a year. This action removes sediment collected 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 changed, and it’s getting older, consider having Kelly James Service replace the heater proactively. It’s better than facing a small flood!

Whether 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.