Water Heater Repair Wichita KS

Indications That Your Water Heater Is About To Fail

A water heater is a wonderful invention. It provides your home or business with hot water whenever you need it. But like everything else, it will eventually need to be replaced. Know when this replacement will be necessary is part of being a homeowner. Waiting too long can cause problems, but being lead to believe you need to replace it before it is necessary can also cost you. As a trusted plumbing company in Wichita, we want to provide you with this information to make an informed decision. Here are some signals your water heater may be giving you that it’s time for a replacement. By looking for these signals, you have a much greater chance of avoiding a costly breakdown or a major leak.

Little Or No Hot Water:

Often the first sign that you may have a problem is the lack of hot water. The heating element my give out, which in turn leads to little or no hot water. Not something you want to experience in the middle of taking a shower or performing some other household task where hot water is essential. A sudden loss of hot water is usually a good indication that the element needs to be replaced. You can have the element replaced by a qualified plumber, but it may be advisable to have the whole tank replaced, especially if the unit is over 10 years old. We can advise you of your options and give you all the information you need to make an informed decision.

Discoloured Water:

When you turn on the tap, you expect clear water to come out. However, if your water tank is starting to rust, you may be greeted with discolored water. This is usually a sure sign that the tank is degrading and an imminent risk of a crack or breach in your tank. If this occurs, especially when no one is home, you could be looking at the possibility of a flooding risk that could be very costly.

Symptoms Of Water Damage:

While some leaks caused by a faulty water heater are obvious such as water around the tank or a dripping sound coming from the bottom of your heater, other signs of a problem may not be so obvious. A closer inspection of the bottom of the tank may have to be performed before you can judge if anything is wrong or not. At first, sometimes just a small amount of water may leak out and be absorbed before you notice it.l Always look for clues that water may have been present on the floor around the tank even if the area seems dry now. Any of the above observations lets you know that something is not right with your water heater, and you should consider getting it replaced as soon as possible.

Now that you know some of the possible signs of a hot water tank going bad let’s talk about what steps you can take to prevent a small manageable problem from becoming a costly emergency.

What To Do If You Have A Water Heater Leak

A leaky water heater can quickly turn from a minor inconvenience to one in which thousands of dollars in damage can occur. Damage to walls and floors can occur. When water gets behind walls or under floors, it creates the perfect environment for toxic mildew and mold to grow. A leak that occurs when no one is home only gets worse with time. There are horror stories of families returning from an extended trip, such as a vacation to come home, open the door and find tens of thousands of dollars in damage and an unliveable home. The same thing can occur with a business returning to work Monday morning only to find a workplace or office flooded, resulting in not only damage but thousands of dollars in lost sales and revenue. That is why you must know the steps in the right order that you should take once you detect a leak in your home or business. Learn how to perform these simple steps and mitigate the damage caused by a faulty water heater.

1. 1. Turn Off The Power Supply To The Water Heater: The absolute first thing that must be done is to find the power source to the water heater and shut it off so the leak will not worsen. If your water heater is a gas model, there should be a dial or switch at the bottom of the tank. Turn the dial or flip the switch to shut off the power supply. If your water heater is electric, find the correct circuit breaker in the panel box and switch it off. You must familiarize yourself with the location of power sources for your water heater before an emergency occurs. That way, if the time comes when you need to move quickly, you know what to do.
   2. Turn Off The Flow Of Water: It is imperative that once you know, there is a water leak that you stop it as soon as possible. To do this, you will need to find the shut-off valve, which will be positioned on the top of the heater. On most units, all you have to do is pull the valve handle down. There may be a dial instead of a handle which in that case you will turn clockwise. If you cannot turn off the water supply on the water heater itself, you can turn off the main shut-off valve that lets water come into your home or business. This will, of course, eliminate all water from coming into any part of the residence or building. Once again, it will be to your advantage if you and your family members know how to perform these operations before an emergency arises. The same holds for your business and the employees that work there.
   3. Call A Local Bonded, Insured & Experienced Local Plumber: Once the power is cut and water turned off, you will need to find a plumber to come and assess the situation. This needs to be done as soon as possible. Fortunately, our plumbers can provide you with same-day service, whether it be a residence or business. We are also available 24/7 for those emergencies that occur after hours.  We provide fast, reliable, guaranteed service and repairs and strive to keep you informed and updated on what is being done as the project is being completed. We take great pride in providing you with the information that helps you make the best decision for your home and family or your business and employees. Give us a call today. We look forward to serving you.