Tag Archives: water heater repair

Water Heater Repair: Taking A Look At 3 Of The Most Common Water Heater Problems

water heater repair

Just like any other appliances, electric water heaters develop problems that you should fix for you to continue enjoying your unit. Here are some of the most common problems:

Water heater leaks

When your water heater is leaking you will see a puddle around the bottom of the unit. In some cases the puddle may leave a trail leading back to the tank. Water leakage comes about due to leaking valves, connections or crack in the tank. You should take a look at the valves and connections and if they are loose fix them. If doing so doesn’t fix the problem hire a water heater repair professional to have a look at the unit. If the leaking problem is as a result of corrosion, the professional may try to get rid of it. You should note that it’s sometimes impossible to get rid of the corrosion if the damage is extensive. In such a case you may be required to install a new water heater tank.

The hot water is not enough

If the water heater is working properly, but the water gets used up fast, it means that you have increased your needs for hot water. The best way of fixing this problem is installing a new, larger water heater. To save energy and ensure that you have enough hot water, you should install a tankless water heater. If you haven’t increased your hot water needs and the water heater seems to be producing less hot water, ask a commercial appliance services provider to take a look at your unit. The professional will inspect the unit and find out whether the problem is due to leaking, mineral deposit or any other problem.

Hot water is discolored and has a bad odor

This is a very common problem and when it happens many people think that it’s due to corrosion of the pipes or water tank, but it’s not always the case. Before you run into conclusions take your time to determine where the odor is coming from. If the cold water has a bad smell, chances are that the problem has to do with the water source. If the bad smell is from the hot water, the problem is most likely due to corrosion inside the tank. The problem could also due to failing of the sacrificial anode rod. To be on the safe side you should hire a commercial appliances repair Falls Church professional to inspect the unit and fix the problem.

Water Heater Repair: Taking A Look At The Common Water Heater Problems And How To Fix Them

water heater repair

A water heater is an integral part of your business. Whether you have a tankless, tank-type or solar type water heating system, the system will at one point develop problems. Here are common water heater problems and how to fix them:

Sediment build-up in the water tank

If you have a tank-type system you will often have this problem especially if you stay for long before you hiring a commercial appliances service provider to clean the system for you. There are a number of problems that come about due to excessive sediment build up. One of the problems is rotten egg smell in the water. This is awful as it reduces the chances of you getting repeat customers.

Excessive sediment build up also reduces the amount of water in the tank as the sediment takes up space.  Since most water heater burners are located at the bottom of the tank, debris buildup makes the water heater less effective thus water doesn’t heat as it should. To fix this problem you need to flush the tank to get rid of the excess sediment. You can do the work by yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.

Water heater temperature issues

If the water heater isn’t heating water well enough it could be because you haven’t set the thermostat correctly. Raise or lower the temperature a few degrees and the system will resume working effectively. If the water isn’t getting hot at all, the heating element could be spoilt and you have to replace it. The problem could also be as a result of a non-functioning thermocouple. If you have the necessary skills, you can fix the appliance or hire a professional to help you out.

Water tank noise problems

There is nothing as annoying as noisy water heater. Noise comes about when sediment build up in the tank comes into contact with the heating element. You hear noise when the heating element is burning the sediment away.  The water heater can also make noise when the heating element is on the verge of burning out.

Fixing this problem is easy as all you need to do is to flush the tank in order to get rid of the sediment. If you have already flushed the tank and still the tank makes noises, hire a water heater repair professional to replace the heating element. If you have the skills you can replace it yourself.

Conclusion

Sometimes the problems are due to old age of the appliance. If your water heater is more than 10 years old, it’s time to replace it as no repair work with fix the problems. All you need to do is to hire a commercial appliances repair Alexandria professional to do the work.

 

Water Heater Repair: Tips On How To Lower Your Water Heating Bills

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If you have a hotel or guest house you need a water heater for the guests to enjoy hot showers. While a water heater provides comfort, it consumes plenty of power and your electricity bills can skyrocket if you don’t take measures to control it. To guide you here are measures that you can take to save your water heating bills:

Turn down the thermostat

Water heaters come preset at 140 degrees. While the water is comfortable for bathing to some at this temperature, it can be scalding to others. To reduce the risk of scalding and giving your business a bad name, lower the temperature to 120 degrees.

This temperature is high enough for the guests to enjoy a nice bath and at the same time reduce mineral buildup in the pipes and tank.

It’s easy to lower the thermostat, but if you are not comfortable with your skills, hire commercial appliances repair Fairfax to help you out.

Install low-flow showerheads

Showerheads not only reduce the amount of water that the guests use, they also save on your water bill. According to water heater repair professionals, when you install showerheads you reduce water consumption by up to 60%. You also cut your water heating bill by up to 20%.

When buying the showerheads buy them from a reputable store. Also have them installed by an experienced expert.

Drain the sediment

Just like in any other appliances, sediment reduces the efficiency of your water heater. To keep the tank running efficiently you need to drain it. You can hire a repair contractor to do the work, but if you don’t have money, do the work by yourself.

To drain the sediment you need to turn off water and power to the water heater tank and then connect a garden hose to the base of the tank. You should then let the water run out together with the sediment.

Insulate exposed water pipes

Plenty of heat is lost through exposed water pipes. Commercial appliances service providers have been able to show that by insulating exposed water pipes, water arrives in the water heater 1-2 degrees warmer.

This not only saves you time that you would have waited for the water to get warm, it also saves you energy that you would have used heating the water. All you need to do is to hire a water heater contractor to insulate the pipes. For long term service use high quality insulating material.

 

Water Heater Repair: Understanding Tankless Water Heaters

tankless water heater

Tankless water heaters have become very common in recent times. With these heaters you don’t need a storage unit—the water is heated on demand. When you turn on the hot water faucet, the sensors signal the coils to heat and as the water flows through the coils it’s heated. Brass and copper coils are the most common. The coils heat up very fast thus you get hot water almost instantly.

Benefits of tankless water heater

There are a number of benefits that come with these heating systems:

Long lifespan: traditional water heating systems can last for up to 15 years. Experts say that the tankless systems can last for up to 20 years. This saves you money as you don’t have to keep on installing the systems every now and then.

Little space: since you don’t require a storage unit, you don’t require additional space to install the system. If you have to install the heater you only need to contact a water heating contractor who will come and inspect your house and recommend the best area to install the system.

The cool thing is that there are many models that you can install in different areas. For example, there are some systems that you can install in the sink cabinet and others mount on the wall.

Save on energy bills: the heating systems are designed to heat water on demand. When you turn on the hot water faucet, the sensor activates the heating coils thus the coils heat the water passing through it.

When you turn off the faucet, the heating coils also turn off. This means that you heat the water only when you need it. This aids in saving you a lot of money that you would have spent on your energy bills.

Tankless tank maintenance

For the system to continue working efficiently for a long time you have to maintain it. One of the ways of maintaining the heater is flushing it regularly in order to get rid of any impurities that it might be having. You can get the flush kit from a HVAC technician or hire a HVAC contractor Alexandria to do the work for you.

You also need to regularly inspect the venting system and ensure that there are no leaks or blockages. For ideal results you should hire a certified commercial appliances repair professional to inspect the system.

How To Insulate Your Water Heater

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Do you want to save money on your energy bills? You should undertake water heater insulation. When your water heater is properly insulated less heat is lost in the air. This results to the water getting hot fast thus saving you power.

How To Insulate The Water Heater

You should measure your water heater in order to determine the size of faced fibreglass insulation that you should buy. You should also remember to buy duct tape to attach the insulation.

You should cut the insulation into tiny strips and wrap them horizontally around the water heater. You should use the duct tape to join the insulation strips.

To be able to control the water heater even while insulated you should cut out holes for the controls and faucets. You should leave at least 2 inches of exposed area around the flue collar. You should also keep the burner access free from insulation.

To ensure that the water heater is properly insulated you should carefully tape around any unsealed edges of the fibreglass.

Once you are through you should set the thermostat between 120-130 degrees. Any temperature higher than this will overheat the wires thus damaging your heater.

Water heater experts recommend that you should place a piece of rigid insulation under your water heater in order to save more on your power bills.

Helpful tips

Although, you can insulate your water heater if you have the right skills, it’s highly discouraged that you insulate the water heater if you have never done it before. For your water heater to be properly insulated, you should hire the services of certified water heater insulation professional.

When buying the insulation material you should be cautious and ensure that you buy it from a reputable home improvement store. To buy the insulation material at a lower price you should make your purchase during the warm months of the year.

When you are installing the insulation you should be cautious that you don’t cover the flue on top. You should also avoid covering the top of the water heater. You should remember that the insulation is combustible; therefore, you should keep it away from frame sources.

In addition to installing the insulation material on your water heater you should ensure that you regularly clean your unit. When it develops problems, you should ensure that it’s fixed by a water heater repair professional.

How To Trooubleshoot An Electric Water Heater

water heater repair

Electric water heaters are a must have at home. The unfortunate thing is that they tend to develop problems. Hiring an electric water heater repair professional is good, but it takes time to find a good one and it’s usually expensive. Due to this, it’s wise that you learn how troubleshoot your electric water heater.

Electric water heaters tend to develop three main problems: lack of function, smelly water and loss of hot water.

Lack of function

This is when there is no electrical current reaching the water heater. You should start by taking a look at the circuit breaker and ensure that it’s on the “on” position. If it’s in the on position and still not working, you should take a look at the thermostat terminals marked “L1” and “L2.”

To have an easy time, you should use a voltage meter that will help you in knowing whether current is reaching the terminals.

Smelly water

Smelly water is another water heater problem and it comes from the decay of the anode rod. The rod is usually placed inside the water heater in order to prevent the tank from corroding. Bacteria accumulate on the rod thus causing the water to smell bad and have bad taste.

To troubleshoot water heater problem you should remove all the water from the tank and wash it with a solution of 3% peroxide. You should allow the solution to sit in the tank for two hours and then remove it.

Loss of hot water

There are many factors that can bring about this problem. For example, the problem can be brought by a faulty valve, wear and tear, and thermostat and heating element problems.

If the problem is coming from a faulty valve you should replace it. A clear sign that the problem is as a result of wear and tear is the flickering or non-functioning for the pilot lights.

You should take a look at the thermostat and heating elements and ensure that power is reaching them. If power isn’t reaching them, you should carefully remove the wires to the heating elements.

Conclusion

These are electric water heater troubleshooting tips. If you do all of the above and the problem doesn’t go away, you should seek water heater repair services. Here you only need to contact a water heater repair professional who will repair the equipment for you. You should note that there are some water heater problems that can’t be repaired; therefore, you need to buy a new electric water heater.

3 Types Of Water Heater Leaks

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It’s common for water heaters to leak due to a number of reasons. It’s good to note that there are many types of water heater leaks with the main ones being:

Condensation leaks

They are common with gas water heaters. The problem presents itself when you put the water heater on for the first time during the cold weather. The good thing with this problem is that it disappears when the water in the tank warms up.

If you notice water pooling or dripping on or near the water heater, you should dry it up and wait for some time. If you come back and find that the area is still dry, the problem was a condensation issue.

Pipes

Loose pipes are bound to leak if they aren’t tightly fitted to the water heater. The most common area where the leak originates is at the top of the water heater where the cold water supply line and the hot water exit line connect to the tank. It’s common for a leak to develop around the anode rod fitting on the top of the tank.

In rare cases, you will find that the thermostat is the source of the leak. If you have an electric water heater, the heating elements maybe the problem.

Tank

If your water heater is old or damaged, it’s bound to leak. You should note that it’s almost impossible to repair water heater leaks on the tank body—you need to replace the water heater.

Points to remember

You should repair a leaking water heater as soon as you can in order to avoid damaging your home and health. Even a small, slow leak has the potential of damaging your floors and sub-floors. Wet floor promotes the growth of mildew and mold which is harmful to your health.

Before you take a look at the leaking water heater, you should shut off power getting into the appliance. You should also shut off the water supply.

While there are some leaks such as pipe leaks that you can repair on your own, its wise that you hire a water heater repair professional who will not only fix the leaking problem, but who will also ensure that the water heater is safe to use after repair. A water heater repair professional also ensures that the water heater problem doesn’t recur.

Water Heater Repair: Tips On How To Maintain And Replace Your Water Heater

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It’s your responsibility as a business owner to ensure that your water heater is working optimally for your business to proceed without issues.

How to maintain your water heater

According to water heater repair professionals, there are many ways in which you can maintain your unit. One of the most effective ways is to drain the water heater at least twice a year in order to get rid of collected sediment that is known to cause corrosion. Doing this has also been shown to increase the efficiency of the unit.

Another thing you need to do regularly is to test the pressure-relief valve. All you need to do is lift the valve’s handle and let it snap back. When you do this you release a burst of water into the overflow drain pipe. If the valve doesn’t work, you should get a new one.

Finally, you need to ensure that your water heater is always working at the right temperature. The best working temperature is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. This not only ensures that the water heater is working efficiently, it also prevents the tank from overheating.

When to replace the water heater

You should note that even with the best care, it’s common for the water heater to develop issues. You can hire a commercial appliances repair professional to fix some of the issues, but in some cases, you have no way out other than to replace the water heating unit.

You should consider replacing your tank if it’s more than 10 years old. Just like any other appliance you might be having, the older the appliance is, the more inefficient it is which results in you spending a lot of money to keep it running. You should consider replacing the unit in order to not only increase efficiency, but also save you a lot of money in the long run.

You also should consider replacing the appliance if you have been hiring a repair professional too regularly. If you have the contacts of the water heater repair expert on your speed dial, it’s time to think of getting a new unit.

Conclusion

These are some of the things you should know about your water heater. When buying a new appliance, it’s wise that you work with your commercial kitchen appliance repairs Vienna who will not only help you in choosing the right unit, but also help you with the installation.

Water Heater Repair: Taking A Look At The Common Water Heater Problems

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To keep the water in your place of work hot, it’s paramount that you have a fully functional water heater. Unfortunately, just like the other units, it develops problems that you must have them fixed as soon as possible to restore serenity in your workplace. Here are some of the most common water heater problems and how to undertake water heater repair:

Leaking pipes

Leaking pipes are brought about by many factors such as: age, loose drain valve, poor maintenance, bad plumbing, and too much tank pressure. To fix this problem you should hire a repair professional, but if you have the skills, you should do it on your own. To repair the leak, you need to shut off the water supply and the electrical or gas supply to the tank.

You should then remove all the water from the tank and fix the leak. If the valve or the system is too old, you have no way out other than to replace it.

Noises

It’s also common for the malfunctioning water heating unit to make weird noises. Commercial appliances repair professionals report that the main reason for the sounds is the collection of sediment at the bottom of the water heater. The noise comes about when the hot water bubbles up through the sediment. Due to this, you have a popping sound.

To fix this problem, you only need to get rid of the sediment by cleaning the tank. To prevent a similar problem from coming about, flush the water heater periodically. You also should consider installing a water softener in your home. Experts report that the softener tends to eliminate the sediment that builds up in the tank.

Inadequate hot water

When you are installing a water heater, it’s recommended that you install one that will give you water that is enough for your guests. In some cases, your water heater will fail to give you enough hot water. One of the primary reasons for this is the recent upgrade of your tub to a larger one. You will most likely have this problem if install a spa type of tub.

The problem is also common if you recently changed your showerhead to a higher flow model. This would cause you to run out of hot water. Another reason is the location of the faucet. If it’s located at a long distance from the water heater, you will have a problem as the water will be required to travel a long way to the faucet head. To fix commercial appliance Fairfax, you will have to hire an experienced professional.

Water Heater Repair: What You Need To Know About The Water Heater

water heater repair

If you have a water heater in your place of work you need to take good care of it to not only avoid regular water heater repair Alexandria, but also keep your unit functioning optimally. To help you out, here are tips you should consider:

Water heater maintenance tips

There are some things you can do to keep your unit in top shape. Some of these things include:

Regular cleaning: There is no way your unit will function optimally if it’s dirty. At least once a year, drain the tank and get rid of any sediment that might be there. You can clean the tank on your own or hire a professional to help you out.

Undertake regular repairs: In addition to regularly pumping out the tank, you also need to fix the unit when problems arise. Most business owners ignore the minor issues that come with their tanks. This shouldn’t be you. Remember that when your tank develops problems, regardless of how minor they are, it functions inefficiently. To be on the safe side, hire a commercial kitchen appliances service professional to help you out.

Regular inspections: Repairing the water heater isn’t enough—you also need to regularly inspect it to identify the problems it might be having. At least once a year, hire an appliance repair professional to go around all the parts of the unit and fix any issues that might be present.

Tips on how to save money with your unit

If you have been using the water heater for a long time, you know that power consumption is a big problem. The cool thing is that you can reduce the amount of energy that your unit consumes using these tips:

Water heater blanket: The water heater blanket provides and an extra layer of insulation that prevents heat loss. As a consequence, you don’t keep on heating the water. The water sheet is usually cheap to purchase, and you can easily install it on your own.

Water pipe insulation: You also should consider insulating the hot water pipes that exit your storage tank. For great results, cover the first 4 feet of the pipe. Just like the blanket, the water pipe insulators are cheap and easy to install. When making the purchase, pay close attention to the size of the pipes. As rule of thumb, ensure that the pipes are of the right size.

Conclusion

These are tips to consider when using the water heater. To have an easy time with the units, work with experienced commercial kitchen appliance repairs professionals.