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

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

The culprit typically isn’t hard to determine. Unless you’re facing a sudden, really serious plumbing scenario, in all likelihood the hot water heater is leaking. It’s inescapable. A water leak in the water heater catches everyone in Washington County 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 transmitting 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 Washington County. 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 for another. The same holds 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. Relay 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 destroys a heater’s mechanicals. Even when using municipal water, a water softener is recommended to remove calcium.

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

Some newer Washington County houses have power vent water heaters, which might stop working 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 Washington County 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 substantial 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 advisable to look over 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 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.