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

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

The reason usually isn’t hard to determine. Unless you’re facing an unexpected, really serious plumbing situation, in all likelihood the hot water heater is leaking. It’s unavoidable. A water leak in the water heater strikes everyone in Oconomowoc eventually.

You might have even picked up on signals. Was less hot water suddenly available? Did hot showers inexplicably 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 Oconomowoc. They’ll repair the mess and put in 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. 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 eats away a heater’s mechanicals. Even when using municipal water, a water softener is suggested 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. Oconomowoc homeowners frequently ask the question, are you better off just replacing the entire unit?

Some newer Oconomowoc homes have power vent water heaters, which might stop operating 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 Oconomowoc homeowners ask about tankless water heaters. These units sit on a wall and, instead of storing hot water, heat it on demand. Theoretically they create endless hot water. Their potential negative is cost. Adding 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 prudent 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 producing 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.