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Signs a Hot Water Heater Needs Service

Hand adjusting a heating equipment valve with a warning label by Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air.

How to Tell When a Water Heater Is in Need of Professional Attention

People rely on their water heaters for a wide variety of tasks in their homes. From baths and showers to daily chores and cleaning, hot water is important. But just like any other mechanical system, the water heater will need service occasionally, including water heater repair, maintenance, or replacement.

There are steps homeowners can take to be proactive about keeping a water heater in good condition, such as routine water heater maintenance, but it’s also important to recognize the signs that the water heater is experiencing problems and needs service. Here are some signs that it’s time to call a plumber for water heater service besides the obvious, like no hot water or a leaking water heater.

Increasing Utility Costs

If utility bills are higher than usual without explanation, it could be because a water heater is operating inefficiently and needs service. Water heaters can become inefficient and cost more to run due to the unit malfunctioning and needing repair, its old age requiring replacement, or maintenance being neglected, indicating that it’s needed.

Once called, a professional can inspect and assess the water heater and determine the cause of its inefficiency and the best solution so households can have an energy-efficient water heater again that costs less in monthly water heating costs.

Unusual Sounds From the Water Heater

When the water heater makes unusual sounds, this is another sign that water heater maintenance or repair services will be needed. These noises can include sounds that may indicate there’s too much sediment in the water heater and water heater maintenance is needed, like banging, popping, crackling, sizzling, or hissing.

A water heater making humming or vibrating noises could be caused by a loose part that needs tightening or repair. Additionally, sounds like ticking and whistling can indicate an issue with the water heater’s water pressure and may require tightening or adjusting the pressure-reducing valve.

Unusual Odor or Color of the Hot Water

Finally, other issues to be aware of that can point to a faulty water heater is when hot water comes out an unusual color or smells strange. This could be due to corrosion of the water heater, which can cause the water to come out discolored, like a rust color, or having a bad, metallic odor.

To help prevent a water heater from corroding, it’s important to keep up with routine water heater maintenance, where a plumber can drain and flush sediment from the tank and replace the anode rod to help avoid corrosion. It’s crucial to help prevent corrosion because a corroded water heater can indicate a water heater replacement is needed.

About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air

Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air has over 20 years of experience serving the St. George area. They provide same-day service, the latest technology, and financing options. Call them for water heater services in St. George, UT.

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How to Tell if the Water Heater Needs Service

3 Signs of a Broken Water Heater

A broken or malfunctioning water heater that needs professional attention may still be able to provide warm water to the home’s plumbing fixtures. Unfortunately, this causes many homeowners to delay fixing their water heaters until too much damage occurs. Homeowners must be aware of the signs associated with a faulty water heater so they know when to contact a plumber for water heater services.

Scary Sounds

Unexplained banging or popping noises from the water heater can indicate it has excess sediment. When sediment builds inside the hot water tank, the heating element may react negatively, and the system’s energy efficiency will suffer. Essential maintenance tasks such as flushing the tank and replacing the anode rod can help remove the sediment and prevent it from damaging the water heater any further.

A crackling or hissing sound is also commonly associated with faulty water heaters. This is often due to a blockage near the system’s heating element and usually only happens with electricity-powered water heaters. Still, an oil or gas tank can make similar noises. In the case of a gas water heater, these sounds are likely due to a moisture build-up that will need to be examined by a trained technician.

If the water heater sounds like it’s ticking, water pressure may be to blame. Sudden changes in water pressure can cause damage to the water heater tank but are relatively easy to fix if caught early. The pressure-reducing valve is designed so homeowners can easily adjust the level anytime.

Unexplained Odor and Color

Water should never have a strange color or odor. If the water heater tank has rusted and corroded, this may impact the water’s color and smell due to an excess of minerals and rust. A corroded water heater may turn the water a rusty color, brown, or otherwise discolored.

A foul smell from the hot water may also indicate the anode rod inside the water heater has corroded and needs to be replaced or bacteria in the tank. Bacteria can occur in the tank when the water heater sits unused for too long. Plumbers can help homeowners determine the cause of any strange smells and discoloration in their water.

Water Leaks

If homeowners notice a water leak in their water heater, it should be attended to immediately by a professional. The longer they wait, the more damage can occur. Depending on the severity of the leak and its location, it could require repair or replacement of the water heater.

Repairs may be an option if the leak is minor and not from the tank. However, if the damage is severe or the water heater is old, it may need to be replaced. In any case, addressing a water leak as soon as possible is essential to prevent further damage and expensive repairs down the line.

About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air

Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air has over two decades of experience serving St. George and the surrounding communities. They provide same-day service, 24/7 live answers, and straightforward pricing. Call them today for water heater services in St. George, UT.

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Why Every Home Needs Professional Drain Cleaning Services

Keeping Pipes Clean Prevents a Host of Plumbing Problems

People rarely want to deal with the plumbing unless there is something wrong, but drain cleaning can actually prevent worse, more expensive plumbing disasters and repairs from happening. This blog will discuss the benefits of routine drain cleaning by a professional plumber and its importance to prevention.

Clears and Prevents Clogs

Chemical drain cleaners from the store may clean the drain, but the corrosive nature of the chemicals can cause damage to the pipes and lead to corrosion. Plumbing professionals are the best bet to perform routine drain cleaning safely. Drain cleaning can be used to unclog pipes or prevent them from clogging in the first place.

Some drain cleaning methods used by plumbers are drain snaking and hydro jetting. Hydro jetting uses a high-pressure stream of water that power washes the inside of the pipe and breaks up any clogs or buildup inside to prevent clogs. A drain snake is a long, flexible wire with a coiled metal wire at the end used to dislodge clogs.

Reduces the Risk of Flooding and Water Damage

Clogs are one of the common causes of leaks and burst pipes because of the pressure they put on the plumbing, so preventing clogs will also help prevent these additional plumbing issues. Clogged pipes can lead to leaks and pipe bursts, which then cause flooding, water damage, and the costly repairs that follow. They can also cause sewage backups, resulting in serious health hazards that require extensive clean-up and safety measures.

Fortunately, regular drain cleaning can help prevent these issues from occurring. Professional drain cleaning can clear out clogged pipes and ensure that water can flow freely, reducing the risk of leaks, burst pipes, and sewage backups and the flooding and water damage they can cause in a home or business.

Fewer Repairs and Cleanups, and Extends the Life of Pipes

Routine drain cleaning is essential to keeping plumbing systems functioning correctly and can help people avoid costly repairs and cleanups due to a plumbing emergency. By having their drains cleaned regularly, homeowners will reduce the chance of encountering an unexpected blockage that could lead to water damage and other costly problems.

In addition, regular drain cleaning extends the life of the plumbing by reducing the amount of buildup in the pipes. This can help prevent problems that require repiping, such as corrosion. Corrosion weakens pipes which can lead to an even higher chance of pipe leaks and bursts. Setting up a preventative drain cleaning visit is cheaper in both time and money than dealing with an emergency plumbing repair and cleanup.

About Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air

Walker Plumbing, Heating & Air has over 20 years of experience serving St. George, UT, and the surrounding communities. They provide straightforward pricing, 24/7 live answers, and same-day service. Call them today for professional drain cleaning services in St. George, UT.