Winter Water Heater Problems

Winter Water Heater Problems

During the winter, most of our home appliances are used more than any other time of year. This, of course, includes your hot water heater. During the winter we tend to use more hot water than during warmer temperatures which can add extra stress to your hot water heater. Your hot water heater is one of your most used appliances all year long, so extra use during the winter can potentially cause problems if your water heater is properly maintained. The problem with not maintaining your hot water heater properly and additional use, is that you could possibly find yourself with no hot water during the cold winter months. Sometimes, there are warning signs you can look out for if your hot water heater is having problems. If you know what to look for, you can call a professional plumber to come take a look before you find yourself with freezing cold water only. 

water-heater-problems

Water Heater Problems Warning Signs:

  • Less Hot Water. If you’re familiar with the normal output of your hot water heater and you start noticing a drop in output, you may have a problem! If you find yourself with less hot water or with luke warm water, there could be a number of things wrong with your hot water heater. There are many things that can cause a problem with hot water output including a malfunctioning burner assembly, sediment buildup, or an electrical problem. If you notice that you have less hot water than usual, its important to call a plumber right away before you don’t have any hot water at all. 
  • Leaks. Leaks are a fairly obvious sign that something is seriously wrong with your hot water heater. Your hot water heater can spring a leak in the valve, the circulator pump, or the storage tank. A leak of any kind is never good. Small leaks can cause huge problems with your hot water heater, forcing you to replace the entire thing. Leaks can also threaten the integrity and safety of your home or your property. If you notice a leak, even if its small, you should call for a plumber immediately. 

Make sure to pay attention to your hot water heater this winter so that you can call for repairs as soon as you notice something is wrong. Catching problems early can save you tons of money this winter. If you have hot water heater problems, call the professionals you can trust at Masterflo Plumbing by calling (678) 822-7095 now!

 

 

Water Heater Replacement

Water Heater Replacement

How often do you think about your hot water heater? Probably never…until you don’t have any hot water! Giving your water heater the proper amount of love and maintenance can greatly extend its lifespan, but water heaters don’t last forever. Eventually, you will need to replace it. By knowing what to look for, you may be able to realize you need water heater replacement services before your hot water heater completely gives out and leaves you with no hot water. With the colder temperatures as of late, running out of hot water could be very uncomfortable! 

Let’s take a look at three signs that may indicate you need water heater replacement services.

  1. Age. How old is your hot water heater? If you put it in yourself, you will know this. However, if the hot water heater was already installed in your home before you lived there, you may not know for sure how old it is. By doing some routine maintenance to your hot water heater, you may be able to keep it running way past its projected lifespan. Maintenance can get expensive, though, and eventually it may be cheaper to simply replace it. As your water heater gets older and older, you’ll need more and more maintenance to keep it running properly.
  2. Efficiency. As your water heater gets older, it may begin to run less efficiently even if you’re keeping up with routine maintenance. New water heaters run much more efficiently than old ones, and there are all kinds of energy efficient options for you to consider when purchasing a new water heater. If you notice that your water bills are rising each month but you aren’t using any more hot water than normal, it may be time to replace your water heater. Running out of hot water more quickly than normal is also a sign it may be time for a new one.
  3. Repairs. Water heaters are not invincible and needing a few small repairs every couple years is fairly standard. As your water heater ages, more and more parts will begin to fail and you’ll need repairs much more frequently. Repairs can be quite costly, and it may be much cheaper for you to replace it than continue to fix it. 
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, you may need hot water heater replacement services. At Masterflo Plumbing, we have  large team of trained plumbers who have the experience necessary to replace your hot water heater quickly and correctly! Don’t face this holiday season without hot water. Give us a call today at (678) 822-7095!

Easy Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Easy 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. With the holidays quickly approaching, no one needs the added expense of replacing a hot water heater. 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

Easy 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 easy 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 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!

Draining A Hot Water Heater

Draining A Hot Water Heater

We recently talked about some maintenance tips for prolonging the life of your hot water heater. One of our most important 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. 

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.

draining-a-hot-water-heater

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.

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!

Water Heater Maintenance

Water Heater Maintenance

Finding yourself with no hot water or with a leaking hot water is every homeowner’s worst nightmare! Unfortunately, water heater problems generally plagued every home owner at some point. Winter has arrived, and its definitely not the time to find yourself without hot water. Water heater repair can be costly, and sometimes a broken water heater can cause additional damage to your home. Scheduling a regular water heater maintenance visit can ensure that you don’t find yourself without hot water this winter. It can also increase the lifespan of your hot water heater.

water heater maintenance

At Masterflo Plumbing we’d love to save you the hassle, headache, and expense of a broken water heater by conducting your water heater maintenance visit. So, what happens during a water heater maintenance visit?

Sediment Flushing

If you have a traditional storage tank water heater, you have a large storage tank that holds all of your water. As time goes by, sediment can build up along the bottom of the storage tank. After this sediment has had the chance to build up, it can become harder for the heating element to penetrate and heat the water. This can result in a very inefficient water heater, and you may end up with no hot water at all! During a routine maintenance visit, we’ll flush out the storage tank to get rid of any built up sediment before it has the opportunity to cause problems.

Anode Rod

The anode rod is a piece of your unit that protects the hot water heater from rust by degrading over time. If the anode rod is not replaced before it has the chance to degrade completely, its protection will be gone and your water heater will be subject to rust. During each routine hot water heater maintenance visit, we’ll check your anode rod to make sure its still functioning properly and doesn’t need to be replaced.

These are just a couple of things that will happen during a hot water heater maintenance visit. To learn more, call your local, trusted Canton, GA Plumber at (678) 822-7095. At Masterflo Plumbing, we’ve got the skills and experience necessary to keep your hot water heater maintained and repaired! Contact us today to schedule your visit.

water heater maintenance

Remember- the best way to prevent a broken water heater is to schedule regular water heater maintenance visits with your local, trusted Canton, GA plumber!