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Water heaters have a lifespan of anywhere from five to twenty years, depending on factors like whether it is a tank-type or tankless unit, how it is (or isn’t) maintained, and how hard or soft your water is.
There aren’t a lot of worse ways to wake up then to find out you have no hot water in your home. Cold showers are a terrible way to start the morning, not just for the discomfort, but also knowing that your water heater is about to cost you money.
What Are the Symptoms of a Broken Water Heater?
No Hot Water: This could mean that the pilot light on your water heater has gone out, a simple enough fix for the average homeowner. Relight the pilot according to the instructions from the manufacturer (often located on a label affixed to the tank) and see if the pilot goes out again. If the pilot keeps going out, the important question to ask is why the pilot light went out in the first place.
Nick’s Plumbing and Sewer Services water heater experts can diagnose the cause of your pilot light woes, and any other issues with your tank-type or tankless water heater.
Hot Water Doesn’t Get Hot Enough: Are showers not as hot as they used to be? Is your laundry not getting as clean as it should? Is food waste hard to remove from your dishes and silverware?
The first sign of a water heater that has outlived its usefulness is diminished performance. Tank-type water heaters that aren’t adequately maintained will start to fail after only five years of service. Sediment builds up in these units, creating a barrier between the water you want to heat, and the source of that heat, the burner.
Let Nick’s Plumbing and Sewer Services maintain your water heater with an annual water heater maintenance service. We’ll flush out the tank, which will eliminate any sediment that has built up, check all gas or electrical connections, inspect thermostats, and make sure your water heater has a clean bill of health.
What Can I Do to Prevent Damage from a Broken Water Heater?
Turn Off Main Water Supply: If your water heater is leaking, either from a broken tank or a faulty valve, turning off the main water supply can reduce damages.
Drain Your Water Heater Tank: If your water heater tank is leaking, a complete failure of the tank is possible. Locate the drain valve on the outside of the tank, attach a garden hose that is run to a sink or outside the home, and open the valve. This will keep your water heater tank from emptying its contents into your home, adding water damage costs to your water heater project.
The best thing you can do for the health and well-being of your water heater is to schedule a maintenance service, or if you’re having problems, a water heater repair call. Nick’s Plumbing has been servicing Houston’s water heaters since 1979 and can repair, install. or maintain any brand available.
