5 Tips For Avoiding Hot Water Heater Replacement

5 Tips For Avoiding Hot Water Heater Replacement

Running out of hot water is not only a nuisance- its costly, as well. We often take our hot water heaters for granted. Just stop and think about how many times each day you use your hot water! Its probably quite a bit more than you’d think. While its not possible to completely avoid ever needing to repair or replace your hot water heater, there are certain steps you can take to lower your risk.

At Masterflo Plumbing we like to save you time and money, so today we’re going to talk about some tips for avoiding hot water heater replacement.

tips-for-avoiding-hot-water-heater-repair-and-replacement

5 Tips For Avoiding Hot Water Heater Replacement-

  1. Check the temperature setting a couple times each year. Your hot water heater temperature should be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. If you’ve got it set any higher, you will definitely see an increase in your utility bill. You’re also working your hot water heater harder, and it’ll be more likely to need repairs or total replacement.
  2. Drain your hot water heater twice a year. Sediment build up on the bottom of your hot water heater is normal and occurs naturally. If too much sediment is allowed to build up, you may be increasing your risk of needing hot water heater repair or replacement. Draining your hot water heater allows you to remove most of the sediment.
  3. Make sure you have proper ventilation that is in working condition. If your hot water heater is heated by using gas, it needs to be vented. If the ventilation is not working properly, toxic byproducts could be invading the air in your home.
  4. Check the pressure relief valve twice a year. The pressure relief valve is a safety feature that relives excess pressure if the water heater has overheated. Relief valves can leak or corrode which can cause them to malfunction and could possibly lead to more damage. Catching any leaks or corrosion early can save you time and money.
  5. Schedule a maintenance visit with a professional plumber annually. A professional plumber will be able to check out your unit to make sure its in proper working condition. Someone with a trained eye may be able to catch and fix small problems before they turn into large ones.

Although there is never a sure way to avoid all hot water heater problems, following these 5 tips for avoiding hot water heater replacement can minimize your risk. If you need a professional plumber in Woodstock, GA, don’t hesitate to contact Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!

How To Drain A Hot Water Heater

How To Drain A Hot Water Heater

Do you know how to drain your hot water heater? Most home owners don’t know that draining a hot water heater is an important step to maintaining your hot water heater, and even fewer home owners actually know how to do it! One of our most important yearly home maintenance tips is to drain your hot water heater twice a year. If you’re not a professional plumber, draining a hot water heater may sound like a daunting task. 

Don’t panic! Today we’re going to run through a few easy steps on how to drain a hot water heater. You may be wondering if this is truly important or necessary. Your hot water heater is possibly the most used appliance in your home. Over time and through normal use, sediment builds up in your hot water heater. This can lead to energy inefficiency, clogs, or eventually no hot water in your home! We can’t stress enough the importance of draining your hot water heater each year as part of your yearly home maintenance.

how-to-drain-a-hot-water-heater

 

How to drain a hot water heater-

  1. Turn off the water supply- If its electric, turn off the power at the breaker box. If its gas, turn the thermostat to the pilot setting. Connect a drain hose to the valve near the thermostat and turn off the cold water supply.
  2. Drain the water- To prevent forming a vacuum, turn on one of the hot water faucets in your hosue (the tub, the sink, etc.). Open the drain valve on the hot water heater. Make sure the end of the hose that the hot water is draining out of is far away from anything that could be damaged by hot water.
  3. Get rid of any remaining sediment- Once all the hot water has drained out of the water heater, turn the cold water supply back on to flush out any sediment that remains in the hot water heater. Once all sediment has been washed out, close the drain valve and turn off the faucet inside your house. Make sure to read all the warning labels and instructions that go with your hot water heater- some hot water heaters need to remain full in order to prevent any damage.
  4. Check the pressure release valve- Turn your power supply back on once your tank has refilled. Once the temperature has come back up, check your pressure release valve by using the instructions that came with your hot water heater.

Remember, if you don’t feel comfortable draining a hot water heater yourself, at Masterflo Plumbing we will be more than happy to come out and do it for you! We boast a large team of qualified, experienced professionals who would love to come out and see you for a hot water heater maintenance visit. Draining a hot water heater is an important step in prolonging the life of your water heater. For all your hot water heater needs contact us today at (678) 822-7095!

5 Water Heater Maintenance Tips

5 Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Running out of hot water is everyone’s worst plumbing nightmare. Not having hot water is a huge inconvenience, and can sometimes mean that you’re facing a costly problem. Although its not possible to completely avoid ever needing to repair or replace your hot water heater, there are certain steps you can take to lower your risk.

At Masterflo Plumbing we like to save you time and money, so today we’re going to talk about some water heater maintenance tips for avoiding hot water heater repair and replacement.

water heater maintenance tips

5 Water Heater Maintenance Tips-

  1. Check the temperature setting a couple times each year. Your hot water heater temperature should be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. If you’ve got it set any higher, you will definitely see an increase in your utility bill. You’re also working your hot water heater harder, and it’ll be more likely to need repairs or total replacement.
  2. Drain your hot water heater twice a year. Sediment build up on the bottom of your hot water heater is normal and occurs naturally. If too much sediment is allowed to build up, you may be increasing your risk of needing hot water heater repair or replacement. Draining your hot water heater allows you to remove most of the sediment.
  3. Make sure you have proper ventilation that is in working condition. If your hot water heater is heated by using gas, it needs to be vented. If the ventilation is not working properly, toxic byproducts could be invading the air in your home.
  4. Check the pressure relief valve twice a year. The pressure relief valve is a safety feature that relives excess pressure if the water heater has overheated. Relief valves can leak or corrode which can cause them to malfunction and could possibly lead to more damage. Catching any leaks or corrosion early can save you time and money.
  5. Schedule a maintenance visit with a professional plumber annually. A professional plumber will be able to check out your unit to make sure its in proper working condition. Someone with a trained eye may be able to catch and fix small problems before they turn into large ones.

Although there is never a sure way to avoid all hot water heater problems, following these 5 tips for avoiding hot water heater repair and replacement can minimize your risk. If you need a professional plumber in metro Atlanta, don’t hesitate to contact Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095!

5 Facts About Water Heaters

5 Facts About Water Heaters

Your water heater is, perhaps, the most important appliance in your home! Although you may not think about it every day and you may not see it every day, chances are that you use it every day. Most of us never realize how vitally important our hot water heaters are until they break! Without a hot water heater, small things like cooking pasta, washing your hands, or doing laundry become daunting tasks.

Here are 5 fun facts you may not know about hot water heaters-

  1. Nearly 25% of the energy you use in your home goes towards heating your water. Because this is such a large portion of your energy bill, many people are opting to use more energy efficient models.
  2. Doing laundry and bathing use the most amount of hot water out of all the tasks hot water is used for.
  3. Using an electric hot water heater costs more than using a gas or propane powered one. You can speak to a professional plumber about making a change from electric to gas.
  4. Your hot water heater should be maintained on a regular basis in order to extend its life, as well as make sure its running as efficiently as possible.
  5. Many people assume tankless hot water heaters don’t leak or don’t need to be maintained like traditional hot water heaters. However, this is not true! Tankless hot water heaters can spring a leak, just like a traditional model.

tankless water heater repair

For all your hot water heater needs, call Masterflo Plumbing today at (678) 822-7095! If you’re in need of a new hot water heater, we can help you choose the right water heater for your needs and install it for you. If you’ve found yourself with no hot water and need an emergency visit, we’re available to come fix your hot water heater 24 hours a day 7 days a week. And finally, if you want to extend the life of your existing hot water heater and schedule a hot water heater maintenance visit, we’ve got you covered!

 

 

 

Water Heater Installation Special

Water Heater Installation Special

Don’t forget- for the month of December, Masterflo Plumbing is offering you a great deal on water heater installation in Atlanta, GA!

This month ONLY we will install a 40 gallon electric water heater for you for only $699!

Don’t get stuck without hot water this winter!

water heater installation

At Masterflo Plumbing we’re bringing you deals that can’t be beat by trusted, professional plumbers you can count on! December will be over before you know it, so don’t hesitate to contact us today for your water heater installation in Atlanta, GA at (678) 822-7095!

How To Drain A Hot Water Heater In 4 Easy Steps

How To Drain A Hot Water Heater In 4 Easy Steps

Today we’re going to run through a few easy steps on how to drain a hot water heater. But first- why would you need to drain a hot water heater? Over time, sediment builds up in your hot water heater. This can lead to energy inefficiency, clogs, or eventually no hot water in your home! Draining your hot water heater each year as part of your yearly home maintenance is a good idea.

Here’s how to drain a hot water heater-

 

  1. Turn off the water supply- If its electric, turn off the power at the breaker box. If its gas, turn the thermostat to the pilot setting. Connect a drain hose to the valve near the thermostat and turn off the cold water supply.
  2. Drain the water- To prevent forming a vacuum, turn on one of the hot water faucets in your hosue (the tub, the sink, etc.). Open the drain valve on the hot water heater. Make sure the end of the hose that the hot water is draining out of is far away from anything that could be damaged by hot water.
  3. Get rid of any remaining sediment- Once all the hot water has drained out of the water heater, turn the cold water supply back on to flush out any sediment that remains in the hot water heater. Once all sediment has been washed out, close the drain valve and turn off the faucet inside your house. Make sure to read all the warning labels and instructions that go with your hot water heater- some hot water heaters need to remain full in order to prevent any damage.
  4. Check the pressure release valve- Turn your power supply back on once your tank has refilled. Once the temperature has come back up, check your pressure release valve by using the instructions that came with your hot water heater.

how to drain a hot water heater

Don’t forget- for the month of December, Masterflo Plumbing is offering you a great deal on water heater installation in Atlanta, GA! This month ONLY we will install a 40 gallon electric water heater for you for only $699! Don’t get stuck without hot water this winter! Call (678) 822-7095!

Water Heater Installation Special

Water Heater Installation Special

Don’t forget- for the month of December, Masterflo Plumbing is offering you a great deal on water heater installation in Atlanta, GA!

This month ONLY we will install a 40 gallon electric water heater for you for only $699!

Don’t get stuck without hot water this winter!

Plumbing Services Canton GA | Water Heater Repair Canton GA

At Masterflo Plumbing we’re bringing you deals that can’t be beat by trusted, professional plumbers you can count on! December will be over before you know it, so don’t hesitate to contact us today for your water heater installation in Atlanta, GA at (678) 822-7095!

Water Heater Installation Atlanta, GA

Water Heater Installation Atlanta, GA

For the month of December, Masterflo Plumbing is offering you a great deal on water heater installation in Atlanta, GA!

This month ONLY we will install a 40 gallon electric water heater for you for only $699!

canton ga plumber

December will be over before you know it, so don’t hesitate to contact us today for your water heater installation in Atlanta, GA at (678) 822-7095!

Water Heater Wednesday: Dip Tube Problems

Water Heater Wednesday: Dip Tube Problems

We’ve talked a lot about hot water heaters, hot water heater maintenance, and hot water heater repair on our Masterflo Plumbing blog. Today we’re going to focus on dip tube problems- something we’ve talked about before, but you may not be totally familiar with.

Your hot water heater supplies hot water to your home by heating up cold water and then storing it for future use. The dip tube is essential to the functionality of your hot water heater. Dip tubes are a component of every hot water heater that has a storage tank, and can sometimes experience problems that can lead to you having no hot water.

So, what is a dip tube? A dip tube is a long plastic tube that is attached to the cold water intake valve at the top of your hot water heater. The dip tube extends to approximately 8 inches from the bottom of the tank. Cold water enters your tank through the dip tube and is pushed to the bottom so that the hot water can be at the top of the tank. This process ensures that the water you receive through the hot water taps in your home is only hot water and not cold. If the dip tube was too short, the cold water and hot water would mix inside the tank and you would have luke warm water all the time in your home.

Unfortunately, just like any other plumbing item in your home, dip tubes can sometimes experience problems. The most common problem with dip tubes is that they can crack and break. If your dip tube has cracked or broken, you’ll notice that there will be a decrease in the temperature of your hot water inside your home. Another sign is that you may notice small pieces of plastic in your water or in the mouths of your faucets. These are small pieces of the disintegrating dip tube.

Certain dip tubes made and installed between 1993-1997 were not manufactured correctly and are more likely to break than other dip tubes. If you believe your dip tube may be one of these, check out the serial number on your hot water heater. If the last two digits are 93, 94, 95, 96, or 97 then your hot water heater may have a faulty dip tube inside.

If you have dip tube problems, then chances are that you don’t have the hot water that you need! Its important to hire a professional plumber to solve this problem for you. If you need a plumber because you don’t have hot water, call the trained professionals at Masterflo Plumbing today! We understand that hot water is vital to your everyday life and will come fix your hot water heater quickly! Call us today at (678) 822-7095!

Plumbing Services Canton GA | Water Heater Repair Canton GA

Water Heater Wednesday: Standard Tank Water Heater Installation

Water Heater Wednesday: Standard Tank Water Heater Installation

The most common type of water heater in the American home is the traditional storage tank water heater. A storage tank water heater is a unit made up of a large tank and heating element. The tank stores water and the heating element heats this water up, so the water in the tank is hot and available for use all day. Cooler water moves to the bottom of the tank through the dip tube, where it is heated by the heating element and then rises to the top of the tank. The hot water at the top of the tank is sucked up for use by a pipe when a hot water faucet is turned on somewhere in your home.

For many years, the traditional storage tank water heater was the most up to date technology and was the best way to heat water. However, advancements in technology led to the development of the tankless water heater.

Tankless water heaters don’t store water, but instead they rely on a computer that is activated when you turn on a hot water faucet in your home. A tankless water heater uses either an electric or gas powered heating element, similar to a traditional storage tank water heater. The difference is that with a tankless water heater, the heating element only turns on when you need it and turns off afterwards.

While tankless water heaters have many benefits, the traditional tank storage water heater continues to be the most popular water heater option in the United States. Tankless water heaters have some disadvantages which may not make them the right choice for you.

Tankless water heaters do have several advantages- because there is no storage tank they don’t take up a lot of space. Also, they never run out of hot water like storage tank water heaters can. Also, they conserve more energy than storage tank water heaters.

Although these are some great advantages, there are some disadvantages as well. The initial cost of a tankless water heater is much higher than the cost of a traditional storage tank water heater. Traditional storage tank water heater installation is much more affordable than tankless water heater installation. Even with the monthly energy savings of a tankless water heater, it can take years for these savings to offset the high initial installation cost.

Another disadvantage of tankless water heaters is that sometimes there is a delay in getting hot water into your home. Also, you may need additional units to keep up with hot water demand for a larger family.

For standard tank water heater installation in Canton, GA call the trusted experts at Masterflo Plumbing at (678) 822-7095!