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

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

The reason usually isn’t hard to determine. Unless you’re facing an unforeseen, really serious plumbing scenario, chances are the hot water heater is leaking. It’s unavoidable. A water leak in the water heater catches everyone in West Allis eventually.

You might have even perceived 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 get better. Better call Kelly James Service, the water heater repair, replacement and installation specialists in West Allis. They’ll repair 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 by 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 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 erodes a heater’s mechanicals. Even when using municipal water, a water softener is suggested to remove calcium.

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

Some newer West Allis houses have power vent water heaters, which might stop heating water for a totally different reason. Power vent heaters use a flame vapor sensor, which turns 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 West Allis 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 negative is cost. Installing one requires significant 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 advisable 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 preferable to facing a small flood!

If 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.