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

You stroll down into your Prospect basement or lower level, and … splash. What’s this? Why is there water where there shouldn’t be?

The source typically isn’t hard to find. Unless you’re facing an unexpected, really serious plumbing issue, in all likelihood the hot water heater is leaking. It’s unavoidable. A water leak in the water heater happens to everyone in Prospect 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 Prospect. 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 a 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 suffer 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. Prospect residents frequently ask the question, are you better off just replacing the entire unit?

Some newer Prospect homes have power vent water heaters, which might stop working 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 Prospect homeowners inquire 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 look over 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 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.