You rely on your hot water heater to keep your household functioning - from showers to laundry to the dishwasher. When your unit fails, it can leave you inconvenienced and in desperate need of repairs. Call West Plumbing LLC for repairs or a water heater tune-up in Chandler, AZ. Our licensed and insured plumbers will provide clean and tidy services to your Valley of the Sun home.
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Water Heater Maintenance Tasks You Should Perform
To keep your water heater working properly, you need to perform routine water heater maintenance regularly. Some tasks you or a plumber should do include:
- Drain the basin and remove any buildup of sediment. This can create a myriad of issues if not done regularly.
- Inspect the inside and outside of the unit for hairline cracks or signs of aging that could result in more extreme problems at a later time.
- Check for any cracks in the hoses.
- Inspect and change your filters when needed.
- Determine if the unit is operating properly.
Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repairs
Avoid showering in cold water by watching for signs that your water heater needs repairs. Some symptoms to watch for include:
- Lack of hot water: The most common issue you might notice is a lack of hot water. For gas-powered water heaters, this could be due to an extinguished pilot light, which can simply be relit. It could also indicate a severely damaged heating element.
- Leaks: Any leaks should be inspected by a plumber. Based on the severity of the leak, your plumber will decide if the unit can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.
- Excess noise: Loud noises could be another sign of a damaged heating element or a buildup of sediment inside the unit that must be professionally removed.
- Cracks: Like leaks, any cracks should be examined by a plumber to determine if they can be repaired or if the unit needs to be replaced.
Act fast when there’s an issue with your main water line. Contact us to learn about our water line services.
When To Replace Your Water Heater
Besides the age of the water heater (older than 5-10 years), there are a couple of other signs that can indicate you need to replace your unit. These are:
- The water isn’t getting hot enough. This is usually what prompts individuals to check the water heater. This could also be due to insufficient tank size.
- There is rust in hot water coming from faucets in the home or rusty residue left in the sink or tub.
- An inspection of the unit showed rust on the water inlet or pressure relief valve.
- The unit is leaking.
- The system is making odd noises.
What To Look For When Selecting a New Water Heater
There is a lot to consider when purchasing a water heater, such as how long it will last, how effective it will actually be in providing hot water in your home, and how energy-efficient it will be. It’s best to find the one that offers the best value, not the cheapest. When looking for a new unit, call our experts at West Plumbing LLC.