Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Water Heater’

Tank water heaters are usually out of sight, out of mind, and as long as they’re doing their job, we don’t tend to pay a lot of attention to them. This can be a big mistake. The generally wet weather here in Olympia, WA can lead to rust and corrosion very quickly, and problems with your water heater have a way of sneaking up on you if you’re not careful. You can prevent some of it by scheduling routine maintenance sessions from a trained plumber at least once or twice a year. He or she will clear the sediment out of the bottom, replace the anode rod to prevent rust and perform other duties to keep those repairs to a minimum.

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Posted in Water Heaters | Comments Off on Watch for Signs of Water Heater Damage

For decades, the only real option homeowners had for water heating was a storage tank model. Tank water heaters are units that have large water storage tanks attached to them, some of which can hold over 100 gallons of water.

These water heaters keep all of that water heated day and night, just in case someone needs hot water at any given time. While these water heaters were quite convenient in many ways, that they were the only option was less than ideal. Now, there is a new option in the form of the tankless water heater.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each of these systems, in order to help you choose the best one for your home.

Storage Tank Water Heaters

As mentioned above, a storage tank water heater is one that uses a large storage tank to constantly keep a large amount of water heated. The benefits of keeping so much hot water on hand are apparent. Any time you need hot water, you can make use of it. There are a number of cons to using this system, though.

For one, you’re wasting a lot of energy keeping all of that water heated when you don’t need it. That leads to you spending more money each year on your water heater for a benefit that you only might make use of. Second, if you ever do exhaust the hot water in storage you’re going to have to wait a while for more water to be heated. These two problems are what tankless water heaters were built to address.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters eschew storage tanks, as the name suggests. Instead, they only turn on when hot water is called for. The water is heated as it flows through the water heater on the way to its destination. The heat output is similar to tank water heaters, so there’s no need to worry about losing heating ability. The pros of this system include energy savings, as a tankless water heater turns off when it’s not needed. There’s also no need to worry about “running out” of hot water with a tankless water heater.

However, there are a couple of cons. The first con is that there is a definite delay between when you turn a hot water faucet on and when you start receiving hot water. The second is that if you have a lot of demand on the tankless water heater at once, it can be more easily overwhelmed.

If you aren’t sure what kind of water heater would fit your needs better, call Brooks Plumbing. We provide water heaters throughout the Olympia area.

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Posted in Water Heaters | Comments Off on Which Water Heater Would Fit My Needs Best?

Generally speaking any unusual noise from a major appliance is cause for concern. This is just as true for your water heater – which rarely receives any attention except when something’s wrong – as it is for any other appliance. Gurgling sounds, in particular, are common signs of a significant problem with your heater. “Why are there gurgling noises coming from my water heater?” you ask. Any plumber in Olympia can give you an answer en route to making speedy repairs.

Gurgling noises usually result from water passing through sediment and build-up on the bottom of the tank. The sediment builds up slowly over the course of time, fed by mineral deposits in hard water that enters the tank. Hard water is usually harmless, but the minerals (usually calcium, magnesium and the like) will settle into the bottom of the tank and may even create strange little structures as they form. When water moves through them, it will gurgle and bubble, creating the noise.

This might not sound like a big deal – and indeed, the water heater will usually still function – but it constitutes a significant problem. The sediment forms an insulating layer between the water in the tank and the heaters intended to warm it. That means your water heater must burn more gas to do its job, costing you money and increasing strain on the bottom of the tank. If left untreated, it could eventually cause a breach in the tank, forcing you to replace the entire unit.

The good news is that a trained plumber in Olympia can help. Draining the tank and cleaning off the sediment is a fairly standard operation for most plumbing services, and some companies can install water filters in your home to cut down on the build-up. If you’re wondering why there are gurgling noises coming from your water heater, then contact the plumbing experts at Brooks Plumbing. We’ll fix the problem and can help you take steps to prevent it from recurring in the future. Pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Water heaters in Olympia can be a blessing when faced with our traditional cool rainy environment. There’s nothing that makes the cold and rain less bothersome than a hot bath or warm beverage waiting for you when you get home. That depends on a reliable water heater, and while regular maintenance and upkeep can extend the life of your current unit beyond what it’s intended, sooner or later, you may need to consider replacing your water heater. This fall makes a good time to pull the trigger, since it gives you the benefits of a new water heater before the temperatures get too low. Here are some reasons why such a move might make sense for you:

• Your water heater is old. You may have a warranty on your existing water heater and if it’s well maintained, it should last for a long time. If it’s over ten years old, however, and evincing other problems, then replacement may be your only option.
• Repairs costs are mounting. If your water heater is showing signs of rust or corrosion, if the pilot light steadfastly refuses to stay lit, if puddle of water repeatedly appear on the floor, or if scaling and sediment build-up are creating problems in your system, the cost of fixing them may no longer be worth the aggravation. While the initial set up fee for a new water heater may be expensive, you’ll see returns with lowered monthly heating bills and a lack of repairs.
• The water heater isn’t working. If you use an excessive amount of hot water, you may notice the heat fading over time as the heater works to keep up with demand. If your water heater can’t produce hot water at all and/or multiple service calls can’t seem to fix the problem, then you need to consider a new water heater

When it comes to water heaters in Olympia, WA, Brooks Plumbing has the expertise you need. We’re locally based, so we understand the needs of Washington home owners, and our trained Olympia, WA water heater technicians can install a new water heater before the winter storms arrive. If you have reasons to consider replacing your water heater this fall, contact us to make an appointment today.

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Tags: Olympia, Water Heater
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