Your water heater is one of the most important parts of your home, and yet we rarely pay any attention to it until serious trouble arises. You can prevent a lot of problems with your water heater by scheduling a regular maintenance session from a qualified plumber, and here in Olympia, WA, you have an expert company you can turn to. But it helps to understand what goes into water heater maintenance and why that can help yours function at its best. Here are 3 crucial parts of water heater maintenance that every servicing session should involve.
Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Archive for the ‘Water Heaters’ Category
3 Crucial Parts of Water Heater Maintenance
Monday, December 7th, 2015Watch for Signs of Water Heater Damage
Monday, November 9th, 2015Tank 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.
When Should I Replace My Water Heater?
Monday, September 28th, 2015Water heaters often do their jobs quietly and without a fuss, and unless some major disaster befalls it, we don’t tend to think much about them. That can make it hard to determine when your old water heater is ready to be put out to pasture. With good maintenances, a water heater can be expected to give you many years of faithful work, but everything wears out, and sooner or later you need a reliable service to install a new one. Here in Olympia, WA, there are services who can perform the job with professionalism and care, but you still need to call them when the time has come. “When should I replace my water heater?” you ask. We’ve included a quick list of tips below.
3 Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
Monday, May 11th, 2015Mention the term “water heaters” and most people tend to think of traditional tank models: the giant tubes in our basement or closet tasked with providing hot water for the household. Though they can do the job efficiently enough, they’re not the only options out there. Here in Olympia, WA, tankless water heaters can be installed by trained professionals, and though the cost of putting one in can be greater than a new tank model, the advantages often greatly outweigh the additional costs. If you’re looking at installing a new system, here are 3 benefits of tankless water heaters that you should be aware of while making your decision.
3 Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repairs
Monday, April 27th, 2015Hot water is a vital resource, and anyone who has suffered a water heater breakdown can attest to how frustrating it can be to go without it. Many times, those breakdowns can be anticipated and addressed with preventative maintenance or repair session from a qualified Olympia, WA plumber. If you can spot the signs of distress in your water heater, you can schedule a session at your convenience to address the problem, instead of having to scramble once it deprives you of hot water. Here are 3 signs your water heater needs repairs.
Which Water Heater Would Fit My Needs Best?
Tuesday, March 10th, 2015For 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.
Is a Tankless Water Heater Worth the Cost?
Friday, December 19th, 2014More and more people in the United States are discovering the many benefits of tankless water heaters. Tankless water heaters were designed in order to alleviate the energy loss that comes along with owning a standard storage tank water heater. Storage tank water heaters use up a lot of energy throughout the day, resulting in high utilities and wasted natural resources. But with a tankless water heater, you won’t run into these problems, and you’ll save some money in the meantime.
But every now and then, someone raises the question of whether a tankless unit is really worth it. Tankless units tend to be higher in cost than storage tanks because they have more complicated machinery for operation. Traditional units, on the other hand, work under the simple natural principle that heat rises. Water feeds into the tank from the top through a long tube that leads to the bottom. A gas burner or electric heating element heats up the water, which then rises above the denser, colder water and reaches your faucets through a tube at the top of the tank.
But this means you have to leave the heat running all day even though you only use hot water every so often in the course of a day, an issue known as standby energy loss. With a tankless unit, a computer simply communicates to the unit when a hot water tap in the home has been turned on. Water heats up as soon as it passes by the heating element, and the heat shuts off immediately afterwards.
Yes, a storage tank water heater will eventually offset the cost of installation, and many feel that the initial investment is 100% worth it. However, a standard storage tank unit is still right for many homeowners. For some people, initial cost is simply too important a factor for them to worry about the future energy savings, especially since it will take many years to compensate for the expense. Besides, tankless units have been known to struggle when it comes to heavy heating loads in larger households, and you may find yourself needing multiple units at an even greater cost.
You don’t have to make the decision on your own. Call Brooks Plumbing to discuss tank and tankless water heaters in Olympia and to schedule professional installation or service.
The Reason for Loud Noises from Your Water Heater
Friday, October 17th, 2014Your water heater works hard to produce hot water for the tasks you rely on every day, so it’s important to take care of your water heater in return. This includes calling an expert for maintenance from time to time and calling for repairs whenever you notice a problem. Sometimes, problems with your water heater result in a total lack of hot water, which generally convinces you to call for repairs as soon as possible.
But another pressing issue to pay attention to is loud noises, which may mean your unit is at risk of failure or sudden leaks. Loud noises may indicate a couple of different issues, and we’ll go over each of them here. When you need water heater repairs in Olympia, be sure to trust the experts at Brooks Plumbing.
Some Causes of Different Noises
Noises from your water heater may indicate a couple of different problems. If you don’t call for repairs soon, these could worsen and cause your unit to break down.
- Sediment in the Tank: A banging or rattling noise from the tank may indicate that sediment is loosely rattling around in there. If you have hard water in your home, minerals can build up inside of the tank. Often, this only means the tank needs to be drained, and a technician can ensure the proper procedure to flush the tank of any sediment. In some cases, this can cause blockages and increase the pressure in the tank.
- Water on the Burner: Another common sound is sizzling, which may happen whether or not the water heater is in use. This usually indicates that condensation is dripping onto the burner of a gas heater. This may mean you don’t get enough heating, even though you continue to consume energy throughout the day.
- High Pressure: Your water heater has components in place to monitor the pressure, but the sound of rushing water could mean this system has failed and the pressure is too high. You may need a new pressure relief valve. On the other hand, too much sediment in the tank increases the volume, which could cause irreparable damage, increasing the pressure. In some cases, this means you need an entirely new unit.
For professional water heater repairs in Olympia, call the experts at Brooks Plumbing today!
Causes of Discolored Water from Your Water Heater
Friday, October 10th, 2014If you turn on a hot water tap in your home and notice the water is not clear, don’t panic. If your water heater or plumbing system is well-maintained and is not yet due for replacement, there is a good chance that you simply have a small problem that requires repair. However, if you have an older water heater, one that was poorly installed, or one that is not well-maintained, brown or rust-colored water may indicate serious corrosion.
You need a plumber experienced in water heater repairs so that you can be sure you get the repair or replacement services you need. To schedule water heater repairs in Olympia, call the experts at Brooks Plumbing. If you want to know more about the possible causes of discoloration from hot water, take a look at the following list.
- Worn Anode Rod: The anode rod attracts particles that cause rust and corrosion to protect your tank. If this rusts through, however, your water may turn a reddish-brown color, and, eventually, your tank may begin to rust. This is a small part that should be replaced from time to time, which is why it’s important to have a plumber inspect your water heater during a maintenance visit once a year.
- Corroded Tank: However, if your anode rod is not very old and rust does begin to affect your tank, replacement is usually the only option. Most water heaters will last over 10 years with proper maintenance, so if your unit has not reached this point, discoloration could point to a different issue.
- Excess Sediment: Your storage tank water heater stores water at all times, so minerals from the water supply may begin to settle at the bottom of the tank over time. Too many of these minerals may make the water appear yellow, which is why it’s important to have a professional flush your tank from time to time.
- Rusty Pipes: If both the hot and cold water taps produce discoloration, the problem may unfortunately be in your pipes. Galvanized steel pipes will eventually rust through, and should be replaced with modern copper or plastic piping.
For plumbing service and water heater repairs in Olympia, call the friendly technicians at Brooks Plumbing today!
Why Is Sizing Important for Water Heater Tanks?
Friday, October 3rd, 2014When you need a large plumbing installation, such as a new water heater, it’s important that you let a trained professional handle all of the heavy work. One misstep can cause water to flood into your home, and faulty installation can mean you’ll end up with some large repairs early on.
But what’s also important is that you let a trained professional choose the proper size unit for your home. To some homeowners, this may not seem like a complicated task. If you have budgetary limitations, you may opt for a smaller system. Or, you may choose a larger unit to ensure you get enough hot water. But these assumptions can cost you money in repairs and on your energy bills over time. That’s why it’s important to let a professional help you through every step of the process.
Here’s why sizing a storage tank water heater is not a job for the inexperienced. And when you need water heater service in Olympia, trust one of the plumbing experts at Brooks Plumbing.
Sizing Storage Tank Water Heaters
Sizing a water heater depends on a couple of factors. For one, a technician must determine the amount of hot water used during the busiest hour of the day. This is referred to as the FHR, or first hour rating, because many households use a lot of hot water early in the first hours of the day. A technician may be able to make calculations based on the number of people in the home, but some homeowners have additional water heating needs to take into account.
The home’s FHR should match up to the unit’s FHR. However, you’ll also need to consider the EF, or energy factor. This number lets you know how much of the energy used by the water heater is used as hot water. When factoring the size of the unit into your budget, you should also consider this factor to help you choose a system that is cost-effective over time.
A system that is too small will not get the job done, but an oversized system will cost you a lot more every month. For water heater service in Olympia, let the professionals at Brooks Plumbing do the work for you. Call us today!
