WATER HEATING REPAIR & REPLACEMENT

Can My Water Heater Get a Tune-Up?

Yes! Water heaters within a couple years old typically do not need to be replaced. In order to extend the lifespan of your water heater, it is a great idea to give the water heater a regular yearly tune-up with a flush and inspection.

Think of your water heater as your car. There are a few simple things you can do to keep it running smooth, but a tune-up from Delaware Plumbing Professionals will help make sure everything continues working properly and you are getting all the efficiency you can out of your water heater. If your car is driven every day but never maintained, the gas mileage goes down and you risk a break-down. The same principle can be applied to your water heater. Without proper maintenance, the water heater begins to require more energy to heat the same amount of water and the cost to run it increases. In the worst-case scenario, the parts start to break or the tank begins to leak and your water heater needs repaired or replaced. A professional tune-up can help to keep your water heater running more efficiently and extend the lifespan to get as many years as you can out of it.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

One of the most common problems that brings your attention to your water heater is lukewarm or ‘not hot’ water. There may be some simple ways for homeowners to troubleshoot this problem; start with the following steps:

Electric water heater

• Make sure the power is connected and the breaker is on to the water heater
• Make sure the thermostats are set to your desired temperatures
• Check for sediment build-up in the tank and flush out if needed
• Replace the thermostats and heating elements if they are not working properly

Gas water heater

• Make sure the gas line is connected and the pilot is lit
• On a Power Vent model, make sure water heater is plugged in to an outlet and the outlet is being provided power
• Make sure the thermostat is set to your desired temperature
• Check for sediment build-up in the tank and flush out if needed
• Replace the control valve or the burner assembly if they are not working properly

What is sediment?

Sediment is the collection of tiny mineral and chemical particles commonly found in water supplies. The sediment falls out of the water and collect on the walls and the bottom of the tank and slowly builds up thicker and thicker. Sediment can be a serious problem that affects almost all water heater and typically gets worse the more the water heater is used. As sediment builds on the internal surfaces of the tank, the efficiency of the water heater decreases and the cost to heat water increases.

A simple model of how this works is to think of boiling a pot of water on the stove top. A clean pot is akin to a brand-new water heater and the water in the pot will begin to boil quickly. As sediment build in the water heater, it is as if you now place a brick between the stove top and the pot. That same pot of water will take much longer and much more energy to boil as the brick slowly transfers the energy to the water.

If the thermostat to your water heater is where it always has been and you’re still not getting the hot water you’re used to, there is a good chance it may be a result of sediment build up.

When is it Time to Replace Your Water Heater?

There are multiple components of a water heater that can be repaired or replaced. When your water heater is 8 years old or older, however, it is usually a better investment to put your money towards a brand-new water heater versus a repair. When the steel tank of your water heater is leaking, it is beyond repair and a full replacement is necessary. We at Delaware Plumbing Professionals pride ourselves in keeping a full stock of water heaters and water heater parts so we can help you quickly when you need it most.

What Should I Look for When it is Time to Replace My Water Heater?

• Source – Electric, Natural Gas, Liquid Propane, ect.
• Style – Standard Vent, Power Vent, Tankless, ect.
• Capacity – 40 & 50 gallon are most common.
• Dimensions – Width and height. Replacing older water heaters can become problematic due to space constraints when newer models have extra insulation to increase efficiency.
• Energy Efficiency – In many situations, you will have the option between different models with different energy efficiencies

This information will serve as the starting point in your search for replacement parts or a new water heater. For help deciding how to move forward with your water heater project, Delaware Plumbing Professionals will provide a free estimate based on your current water heater and what you’re looking for with your next water heater.

Included with all Delaware Plumbing Professionals Installations:

When you call Delaware Plumbing Professionals to replace your water heater, there are some things you can expect with every project. We will:

Prepare the work are with drop clothes to protect your floors

• We place drop cloths where they are needed to protect your home as we move the new water heater in and the old water heater out. We treat your home as our own!

Drain and disconnect the water existing heater so that we can dispose of it

• We disconnect your water heater from all the plumbing, electrical, gas, and vent piping as needed and drain it down to limit the potential for mess as we take it out of your home.

Install the new water heater up to code

• We install your new water heater with care and up to code (most water heater replacements need upgrades to bring them up to code).

As licensed plumbers in your area, we are familiar with all the local codes for installing water heaters. It is our responsibility to install your water heater according to local codes that protect the value and safety of your home. We have installed 1,000s of water heaters over the years and we arrive fully equipped with the skills, tools, and materials to install your new water heater in a timely manner so you can get back to enjoying nice hot showers.