Your water heater is one of the hardest working appliances in your house. You probably don’t use your heater or air conditioner every day, but you almost certainly use hot water. If you use a storage water heater, as most people do, your water heater is working day and night to provide you with hot water. All of that water exposure should cause your water heater to rust into oblivion within a couple of years. Why, then, do water heaters last up to a decade under constant water exposure? The answer lies with a part called the “anode rod.” Let’s take a closer look at what the anode rod is, and why you need to have yours checked at least once a year.
Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Water Heater Repair’
Water Heater Parts: The Anode Rod
Monday, May 18th, 2015The Dip Tube and Water Heater Repair
Wednesday, December 10th, 2014A traditional water heater works under a fairly simple heat rising principle. Hot water naturally rises above denser cold water, which is why water heaters use a large tank that heats water from the bottom so that it can flow into your home from a pipe located at the top of the tank. When your water heater quits working, you may fear the worst. But oftentimes, a problem with the water heater occurs in one of the simplest components: the dip tube.
When you notice a problem with your water heater, don’t want to wait to schedule repairs. The solution may be fairly quick and easy for a technician with a trained eye, or there could be a potential leak that must be addressed as soon as possible. The skilled experts at Saddleback Plumbing can diagnose any water heater repair in Orange County with integrity and accuracy.
What Is the Dip Tube?
The dip tube is essentially just a long tube, often made out of plastic, that leads to the bottom of the tank. This portion of piping connects to the cold water supply line to bring cold water into the unit. There is either an electric heating element or a gas burner located near the bottom of your tank which heats up the water so that it can rise to the top of the tank and remain available for use throughout the day.
There are a number of problems that could go wrong with the dip tube over time. Some indications that your dip tube is in need of replacement is if you notice intermittent bursts of hot or cold water, hot water that runs out too soon, or very little hot water at all. This occurs when the dip tube either snaps in half or breaks off entirely so that cold water stays near the top of the unit. Sometimes, shards from the dip tube can even block the pipes, further compromising the state of your water heater.
Don’t let your water heating issue go on for longer than it needs to.
Contact Saddleback Plumbing as soon as you notice that you’re in need of water heater repair in Orange County. Call us today!
Does My Water Heater Need to Be Flushed?
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014Most people don’t think about doing maintenance on their water heaters. After all, water heaters are pretty durable and many times it seems easier to just buy and install a new water heater when yours fails. However, just as maintenance on your heating or air conditioning system can help reduce and prevent repairs to those systems, so can maintenance for your water heater. Part of maintaining your water heater involves flushing it a least once a year, and you may be surprised at how much it can help your system.
How Is a Water Heater Flushed?
A water heater is fairly simple. Your technician will turn off the power source (gas or electricity) and pull out the hose attachment at the top of the tank; this allows air to enter the tank, which makes it easier to drain. A small garden hose is attached to the nozzle at the bottom of the tank, and the nozzle is opened, allowing the tank’s water to drain out. Once the water in the tank drains, the technician will flush it with warm water to clear out sediment that may be in the bottom of the tank. If bacteria has developed, the technician may do a second flush mixing bleach with the water to kill and remove the bacteria from the inside of the tank.
Why Do a Water Heater Flush?
As mentioned above, flushing your water heater is part of maintenance. But why do it? Here are some reasons to consider:
- Removal of sediment and minerals – all water has small amounts of sediment and minerals, but when allowed to build for a number of years, the amount that settles in the bottom of your water tank can be significant.
- Better energy efficiency – when your hot water heater isn’t impaired by significant sediment and mineral build-up, it functions better, which can increase its energy efficiency.
- Removal of bacteria – if you have ever experienced a sulfur smell around a water heater, you’ve experienced bacteria in a water heater. When water heaters aren’t properly maintained, bacteria can develop inside the tank and flourish; the result is a rotten-egg type of smell. Flushing the tank removes the bacteria and allows the technician to clean the tank, ensuring that upon refill, there is no more bacteria.
Flushing your water heater annually can help prevent water heater repair in Orange County. If you are interested in maintaining your water tank, call Saddleback Plumbing today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.
Why Is My Water Heater Making A Weird Noise?
Thursday, September 19th, 2013Water heaters are one of those silent household appliances we hardly acknowledge until it suffers a problem. This is doubly true in mild climates without a lot of bad weather, like Ladera Ranch. Water heater repair becomes less pressing if there isn’t a lot of snow or rain to damage the unit, and while wear and tear take their toll, Southern California experiences a lot less environmental stressors than other, harsher areas of the country. However, that makes it even more important to recognize potential problems before they start, and call in a professional to take care of it in promptly. For instance, you may be asking “Why is my water heater making a weird noise?”
In most cases, that noise can indicate a need for repairs.
In many cases, the water heater makes noises after scaling and mineral deposits gather on the bottom of the tank itself. That can result in a gurgling or a clanking noise coming from the heater. In order to fix it, a service professional must drain the tank and clean away the deposits in order to reduce the noise.
Similarly, a leak in the main tank may result in a dripping or bubbling noise. If the water drips onto the unit’s burner, or if condensation becomes dense enough to create dips, then you may hear a sizzle as the water interacts with open flame. Either way, it suggests a problem in need of professional correction.
Many water heaters come equipped with heat traps to help save energy. Sometimes, they can cause fluctuations in the water pressure, which results in a strange ticking or clicking noise heard in the pipes. A service technician can remove the traps and stop the clicking noise, though it will likely result in a higher energy bill to keep the water heater running at the same levels.
If you notice your water heater making a weird noise, don’t hesitate to call Ladera Ranch water heater repair experts at Saddleback Plumbing for help. Our service area includes Ladera Ranch; water heater repair is one of our specialties and we dedicate ourselves to your complete satisfaction. Give us a call to set up an appointment today.
How Sediment and Scale Create the Need for Water Heater Repair
Wednesday, August 14th, 2013Whether your water heater is brand new or 10 years old, you need to make sure that it performs well at all times. After all, you depend heavily on hot water every day to enjoy hot showers, and to keep your dishware and laundry spotless – a professional Irvine water heater repair technician at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. could see to this. But we often take major appliances like our water heater for granted; that is, until something goes wrong with their operation. Having your water heater professionally installed is the first, important step to ensuring years of excellent hot water in your home, but it’s not enough to secure the ongoing performance and efficiency of your water heater. In order to ensure that you continue to get the hot water you need, you need to have your water heater routinely maintained by a professional plumber. In today’s post, we’d like to look at how sediment and scale can negatively impact your water heater.
Call Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. today for comprehensive water heater repair services in Irvine.
Don’t Let Lack of Maintenance Ruin Your Water Heater!
If you have a tank water heater, then over time sediment can build up on the bottom of the tank, right where the heat exchanger is. When sand, dirt, and other particle begin to accumulate here, it can actually disrupt the water heating process. It can even lead to system damage because it forces the entire system to overheat. Similarly, the mineral deposits left behind by hard water as it passes through your water heater’s tank can also leave behind accumulations of scale. These also block the water heating process. The most common indication of a sediment or scale problem with your water heater is a rumbling or boiling sound. This means that the entire system is overheating.
This is especially problematic considering the risk of scalding hot water temperatures that can circulate throughout your home. When these materials buildup, it can override the ability of your thermostat to control the temperature, and pose a threat to you and your family, especially younger children. The best way to prevent such issues is to have your water heater periodically flushed.
Call Saddlbeback Plumbing, Inc. if your need water heater repair services in Irvine because of sediment or scale buildup. We can also complete routine maintenance.
Water Heater Repair vs. Replacement in Laguna Hills
Sunday, August 11th, 2013How does your water heater sound these days? Do you find that your showers go cold? Out of the major plumbed appliances within your home, the water heater plays a major role in keeping your home comfortable and convenient. But considering how much wear and tear it endures on a daily basis, it’s hardly surprising that it needs regular professional service. The professional installation of a water heater allows you to take full advantage of its capabilities, but it must be routinely maintained to achieve consistent performance. That said, there may come a time when repairs are inevitable and you may need to make a decision between repair and replacement. In today’s post, we’d like to look at this issue in greater detail.
Give us a call today for all of your Laguna Hills water heater repair service needs.
Do You Need A Water Heater Repair or Replacement?
- Repair. There are numerous things that can go wrong with your water heater. If you hear a rumbling or boiling sound, that could indicate a buildup of scale or sediment. This often involves a fairly straightforward flush. Alternatively, you may find that your water heater is unresponsive to your calls for hot water. This could be related to a thermostat problem, which is also something that can be repaired.
- Replace. There are two major reasons to replace your water heater. The first is not necessarily the type of repair, but the frequency of repairs. There may come a point when the quantity of repairs becomes too much. It may make more financial sense in the long-term to replace your water heater rather than continue repairs. The second reason is old age. Your water heater will not last forever, and rather than waiting for it to break down at an inopportune moment, it may make more sense to take control of your hot water supply with a new water heater. Today’s water heaters are much more energy efficient than their predecessors, and you may be able to save substantial amounts of energy with a new appliance.
The line between water heater repair and replacement is fine.
Before determining what course of action is right for your home, call a Laguna Hills water heater repair technician at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc.
Do You Need Professional Water Heater Repair?
Friday, July 26th, 2013Knowing when to pick up the phone and call for professional water heater repair service in Irvine is not always so straightforward. But you should trust your gut instinct on the matter. If you feel like your water heater is not performing as it should, then do not hesitate to get in touch with one of the plumbers at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. We can make sure that your hot water is restored in no time. If the repair job seems major, we can also recommend an alternative solution, such as replacement, so that you can take control of your home comfort.
Call us today, Irvine; water heater repair is what we do.
- Does your water heater make a strange sound? You should expect a nominal amount of sound emitting from your water heater during its operation. This is simply part of what it has to do to give you hot water. But it should not be excessively loud, or unusual. If you recognize that your water heater has developed a strange, unexpected sound, it could be a sign that something is in need of repair. A rumbling or boiling sound from your tank water heater may be a sign that you have excessive sediment or scale at the bottom of your tank, which will need to be cleaned out to ensure safe and effective operation.
- Does your shower go cold? If you suffer from inadequate hot water, there could be numerous things wrong with your water heater, whether tank or tankless. You could have a problem with the fuel or electrical supply, or possible even with the thermostat that controls the temperature of the water. While this problem may seem only minor, many water heater problems develop slowly and it’s always best to catch them before they become major, costly repairs or even premature replacements.
At Saddleback Plumbing, Inc., you can depend on excellent Irvine water heater repair services from us. We can restore the hot water in your home. Give us a call today, whatever your water heater issue may be.
Never Attempt These Plumbing Services on Your Own
Monday, February 4th, 2013At Saddleback Plumbing we have told our valued customers time and time again that the plumbing installation, maintenance and repair services needed in your home must be performed by a professional Tustin plumber. There is just no other way to ensure that your plumbing services are completed safely and effectively. A qualified, licensed plumber must handle any plumbing service you need in Tustin, CA. Some do it yourself type homeowners have a hard time accepting this very true advice, though. Here are a few examples of some very real reasons why you should not attempt to service your own home plumbing system.
Never, ever attempt to service your hot water heater on your own. This very useful appliance can also be very dangerous if it is compromised by a novice attempting to service it. As water is heated it not only gets hot but also builds up pressure. Attempting to service you water heater on your own puts your safety at risk as well as the condition of your house. Keep the hot water inside your water heater where it belongs. Call a professional plumber for any water heater repair in Tustin.
Another very helpful but potentially dangerous part of a home plumbing system is the natural gas lines. Never, ever attempt to pipe natural gas into your home on your own. You will be putting your home at risk for exposure to a carbon monoxide leak or fire. It is just not worth it. You may even be in violation of local laws and insurance policies. Do the right thing for your safety and safety of your home and family. When you need a natural gas appliance hooked up or if you suspect a leak in your natural gas line, call a professional Tustin plumber. Only then can your natural gas problems be resolved safely.
For more information about the importance of hiring a professional plumber in Tustin, call Saddleback Plumbing. We are proud to serve residents in the Tustin area and we look forward to helping you live more safely and comfortably. Call today to schedule service.