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Water Heaters

Our plumbing system branches into hot and cold water pipes that carry water to indoor plumbing fixtures and other appliances. Cold water passes directly from the water supply main through filters or water softener appliances to kitchen faucets, showers and bathtubs.

Water filters beneath kitchen sinks are usually installed to remove various impurities, offensive odors and tastes from tap water. Toilets, outside faucets, and fire and lawn sprinklers systems require cold water only, while kitchen and bathroom sinks, tubs and showers, and washing machines are fed with hot water supply. Hot water will reach the relevant plumbing fixtures after first passing through a water heating device such as a boiler or water heater.

Is your water heater not working properly? Just submit the form on your right to receive plumbing estimates.

How Water Heaters Work

Water Heaters Hot water accounts for about 25% of the total daily domestic consumption. Heaters receive cold water from the main plumbing water line and can store up to 60 gallons of water in a steel tank. Stored water is heated by electricity, gas, coal or solar energy (click here to find more about solar water heaters). Electrical boilers will heat water with a copper wire coil, while a gas burner or a gas heated coil will heat up the stored water in a gas water heater. A network of pipes will then carry hot water from the heating source to appropriate fixtures and appliances.

With a thermostat you can control the temperature of the water. The recommended temperature in home water heaters ranges between 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit or 49 to 60 Celsius. A drain valve is located at the base of the water heater through which water is drained from the steel tank for the purpose of sediment removal.

Cut Water heating Costs Plumbing Tip:
Tankless water heaters may provide a more energy efficient alternative than conventional storage water heaters, precisely because they don't have a storage tank full of water to keep hot, rather they provide hot water instantaneously. For this reason they are also known as demand water heaters. Tank-less water heaters have a life span of more than 20 years, which is about 13 years more than conventional water heaters.

No hot water? Submit the form on your right to receive multiple plumbing quotes.

Common Water Heater Problems

Although conventional gas or electric tanked water heaters are usually reliable, occasionally they become problematic. The following table summarizes the most common problems with electrical or gas tanked water heaters, and their possible repairs.

NOTE: Water heaters are complex units that require professional repair by certified plumbers. People with the necessary knowledge and experience may decide to repair their own heaters. Knowledgeable do-it-yourself fans should take the following precautions before troubleshooting their tanked water heaters:

Switch off power to electric water heaters
Switch gas pilot control valve to "pilot" settings
Close water supply to heater
Open hot water faucet nearest to heater
Attach hose to drain valve

Problem	Possible Causes	Possible Repairs
No hot water	Faulty gas pilot, gas thermocouple or gas pilot control valve Faulty electric thermostat or upper electric heating element	Inspect gas pilot flame and pilot operation Adjust, tighten or replace gas thermocouple Replace gas pilot control valve Check power connections to electric thermostat on electric water heater Replace heating element or electric thermostat if power failure is ruled out
Rust colored water	Corroded glass lined tank Failing sacrificial anode rod	Replace sacrificial anode rod with magnesium anode rod
Rotten egg odor	Bacteria buildup inside tank	Drain water heater Treat tank with hydrogen peroxide solution of 2 pints 3% peroxide to 40 gallons of water. Flush water lines with some of solution as well Leave solution in tank and pipes for 2 hours. (The peroxide solution is not toxic and no rinsing is needed) If odor persists, replace anode with a zinc-alloy anode Replace your water heater with a plastic lined tank unit should the offensive odor remain
Rumbling sounds	Sediment accumulation in tank is causing its overheating and the boiling of stored water (– also source of the rumbling sound)	Drain tank to flush out sediment
High pitch noise in electric heaters	Scale buildup on electrical heating elements	Drain heater Clean scale from tank and elements Install low-watt density heating elements with large surface areas for efficient water heating
water around base of heater	Faulty temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve Excessive pressure, overheating or a stuck T&P valve causes a leaking T&P valve Leaking plumbing connection Leaking water tank due to corrosion	Position a bucket below the overflow pipe. Open and drain T&P valve from debris. Replace valve if leak persists Decrease thermostat setting to prevent tank from overheating Look through combustion chamber to inspect bottom of tank for water or heavy rusting marks. Should you notice such marks, replace water heater

Water Heaters Brands

Amtrol
Bosch
Bradford White
Chronomite
Eemax
General Electric
InSinkErator
Kenmore
Reliance
Rheem
Stiebel Eltron
Watts
Whirlpool