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

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

The culprit typically isn’t hard to identify. Unless you’re facing an unexpected, really serious plumbing situation, in all likelihood the hot water heater is leaking. It’s inevitable. A water leak in the water heater happens to everyone in Washington County eventually.

You might have even spotted signals. 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 stop. Better call Kelly James Service, the water heater repair, replacement and installation specialists in Washington County. They’ll fix 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 for 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 last 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 advisable to remove calcium.

Water heaters can experience other misfires. Gas heaters might have issues with the gas valve or burner assembly. Electric heaters can encounter issues with the heating element or thermostat. All can be replaced. Washington County homeowners 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 functioning 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 Washington County 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. Installing 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 accumulated at the bottom of the tank.

It’s smart 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!

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.