New Berlin Homeowners: If Your Water Heater is Leaking, Don’t Go Cold Before Calling for Service!

You stroll down into your New Berlin basement or lower level, and … splash. What’s this? Why is there water everywhere?

The culprit usually isn’t hard to identify. Unless you’re facing an unexpected, really serious plumbing issue, it’s likely the hot water heater is leaking. It’s inevitable. A water leak in the water heater happens to everyone in New Berlin eventually.

You might have even noticed symptoms. Was less hot water suddenly available? Did hot showers mysteriously turn cold? The water heater was transmitting 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 New Berlin. They’ll clean up 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. 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 their 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 sustain other issues. Gas heaters might have problems with the gas valve or burner assembly. Electric heaters can encounter issues with the heating element or thermostat. All can be replaced. New Berlin homeowners frequently ask the question, are you better off just replacing the entire unit?

Some newer New Berlin houses have power vent water heaters, which might stop heating water for a totally different reason. Power vent heaters use a flame vapor sensor, which shuts 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 New Berlin homeowners ask about tankless water heaters. These units mount 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 substantial 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 inspect your water heater monthly. Watch for changes in its appearance or, obviously, leaks. If something looks changed, and it’s getting older, consider having Kelly James Service replace the heater proactively. It’s preferable to 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.