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

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

The villain usually isn’t hard to locate. Unless you’re facing a sudden, really serious plumbing problem, in all likelihood the hot water heater is leaking. It’s inescapable. A water leak in the water heater catches everyone in Willow Springs eventually.

You might have even perceived 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 Willow Springs. They’ll repair 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 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 eats away a heater’s mechanicals. Even when using municipal water, a water softener is suggested to remove calcium.

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

Some newer Willow Springs homes have power vent water heaters, which might stop heating water 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 Willow Springs homeowners inquire 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 drawback 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. Doing so 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 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 delivering 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.