Keep the Hot Water Flowing with Water Heater Repairs You Can Trust
Plumbers 911 Washington DC Provides the Best Water Heater Replacement and Repair Services in the Region
Although it’s usually tucked out of sight in your home, your water heater is one of the workhorses of the home plumbing system, used every day more times than you might realize. Your home water heater not only supplies hot water for your shower and washing the dishes, but also to appliances like your washing machine and dishwasher.
If your
water heater isn’t working properly, Plumbers 911 Washington DC has technicians available around the clock for emergency repairs. We also provide full replacement services if you think it’s time for an upgrade.
If you think you may have a problem with your water heater, or are wondering if it might be time to upgrade your heater to a newer model, read on for everything you need to know about
common water heater problems and signs it may be time for a replacement.
How Home Water Heaters Work
Although all water heaters serve the same purpose—heating water and delivering it throughout your home when needed—there are two main types of home water heaters. Your own water heater is most likely one of these two kinds:
- Tank type water heaters
- Tankless water heaters
Tank type water heater: This is by far the most common home water heater. Tank-type water heaters both heat your water and store hot water until it’s needed. If you take a look at your tank-type water heater, you’ll quickly notice some of the key features that let it do its work: first, these tanks are insulated, to help keep hot water hot while it’s being stored. On the top of the heater, you’ll notice a pair of pipes. These are the supply and delivery pipes, which allow cold water to flow in and hot water to flow out.
Tankless water heater: If you don’t have a hot water tank in your home, then this is probably the kind of system you have. Tankless heaters operate by heating hot water only as needed, rather than heating and storing it ahead of time. The majority of these tankless heaters utilize the home’s boiler to heat water. These heaters are cost-effective in the winter, when the boiler is being run to heat the home anyway, but are less efficient in the warmer months when otherwise the boiler would not be needed.
Home water heaters can be powered in multiple ways, with the most popular today being either gas or electric. In some regions, oil is still a popular choice, so it’s also possible to have an oil-fueled water heater. Usually, the water heater will be powered by the same means as the home heating system.
Common Water Heater Problems
The mental image we might have of a problem with the water heater is stepping into the shower and feeling nothing but cold water – or even worse, the hot water running out mid-shower. Brr!
Lack of hot water can happen in multiple ways. Are you experiencing any of the following?
- There’s no hot water at all
- It’s taking a long time for the water heater to produce hot water
- The hot water is running out quickly.
All of these problems suggest that there might be a problem with your water heater’s heating element. Sometimes other parts of the water heater can be faulty, such as the thermostat, and also cause less than optimal water heater performance.
In these cases, it’s relatively easy for our technicians to diagnose and pinpoint the problem, and to replace the necessary parts. In most cases, your water heater will be back up and running in no time.
But before you do, check these simple things to make sure the solution isn’t already at your fingertips:
For an
electric water heater, check that the power is connected and no breakers have been thrown.
For a
gas water heater, make sure the gas is running properly and the pilot light is lit. (If you think there may be a gas leak, contact your gas company immediately!)
When to Replace a Water Heater
If you have a tank-type water heater, it’s possible that over time the tank will become corroded. Once this happens, there’s little that can be done to truly repair the tank (although there are some band-aid fixes), and this is a sign that the tank has reached the end of its life.
Otherwise, you may have determined that your current water heater is simply not meeting your family’s needs, and it’s time for a newer, more cost-effective solution. If your water heater is old and inefficient, upgrading to a newer model can save your family money in the long run.
Here are some reasons you may want to consider an upgrade:
Capacity: most tank-type water heaters have a 40 or 50-gallon capacity. If your water heater’s capacity is small and your family is growing, it might be time for a bigger one.
Recovery: this is how fast your water heater refills after use. Along with capacity, it can determine if your water heater is meeting the hot water needs of your family.
Energy efficiency: The more efficient your water heater, the lower your gas or electric bills and the better for the environment.
Look No Further than Plumbers 911 Washington DC for your Home Water Heater Needs
If you’ve determined that it’s time to update, repair, or replace your water heater, contact Plumbers 911 today to schedule an appointment with one of our
highly skilled technicians in Washington DC and to learn more about your options.
Plumbers 911 Washington DC allows you to make just one call to access a whole network of the best plumbing professionals in the region. All of our technicians are highly skilled and updated on the most recent technologies and developments in our industry. When you call us, you can have peace of mind that you’ll be getting top-quality work completed at a competitive price.
If you have an urgent need for water heater repairs, don’t hesitate to call. Our technicians are available 24/7 for your emergency plumbing needs.]]>