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

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

The source typically isn’t hard to determine. Unless you’re facing an unforeseen, really serious plumbing issue, in all likelihood the hot water heater is leaking. It’s inevitable. A water leak in the water heater strikes everyone in Thompson 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 get better. Better call Kelly James Service, the water heater repair, replacement and installation specialists in Thompson. They’ll fix the mess and install a new water heater within hours.

What will the replacement be? Most often, it’s apples for apples. An electric heater is replaced by 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. Share 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 their toll.

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

Water heaters can suffer other problems. 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. Thompson homeowners frequently ask the question, are you better off just replacing the entire unit?

Some newer Thompson homes have power vent water heaters, which might stop heating water for a totally different reason. Power vent heaters use 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 Thompson 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 provide endless hot water. Their potential negative is cost. Adding one requires substantial 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 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 unusual, 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.