heater Archives | 2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling

When Does the Water Heater Need to Be Replaced?

Ensure the Family Has Warm Water Year Round

Getting stuck in the shower with no hot water is a travesty at any time of the year, but this problem is magnified when temperatures drop. Instead of being able to take a hot shower to warm up on a cold day, homeowners will be forced to suffer, shivering through an icy shower. When this happens, the water heater is to blame. While the problem may come out of the blue, it is more likely that the water heater showed signs of failure that the owner failed to notice.

To prevent this from happening, homeowners are encouraged to watch for the following signs that indicate the need for water heater replacement.

Erratic Temperatures or Insufficient Hot Water

The job of a water heater is to provide a certain volume of hot water at a certain temperature. Some water heaters may fail to heat water completely, while others may fail to provide adequate hot water, leading to shorter showers.

Still, others may provide tepid water that never reaches the setpoint dictated by the water heater. In any case, these are signs that interventions are needed. Water heater repairs may be sufficient to rectify any of these problems, but if they become more frequent or are coupled with any other signs, water heater replacement is a good idea.

Leaks

Leaks are a serious problem regarding water heaters because several pipe connections may leak at some point in their lifespan. These leaks aren’t considered water heater leaks and can be easily repaired. The more serious leaks from water heaters occur in the water tank or internal plumbing. Leaks in the tank cannot be repaired and will require replacement.

To spot leaks, look for water pooling in the drain pan or wet spots around the unit. Rust is also visible as it attacks iron-based metals in the water heater. Hissing noises may also indicate water dripping onto the hot burner.

Old Age and Signs of Corrosion

Water heaters have a predictable lifespan. While some manufacturing practices can help some last longer than others, the best general rule regarding the life expectancy of a water heater is age. Most water heaters will have failed or need significant repairs at an age of around ten years. Beyond the point, the water heater will be unsafe and inefficient, and replacement is the smartest option.

To preemptively spot the signs that water heater replacement is needed, homeowners should look for signs of corrosion around the system. Corrosion indicates that internal protections within the water heater have failed, and the water tank is rusting and will start to leak soon. Water heater maintenance can allow professionals to spot corrosion early if homeowners feel out of their depth looking for corrosion.

About 2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling

2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling is a veteran-owned company specializing in water heater maintenance and remodeling projects. Their experienced and expert plumbers can help water heaters last as long as possible with their top-notch services and financing opportunities. Call today for a water heater replacement in Sacramento, CA.

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Signs to Call a Plumber for Water Heater Services

Common Warning Signs of a Faulty Water Heater

A household’s water heater is an important part of daily life for its residents. But sometimes, it is hard to know when a water heater needs service from a professional plumber. Sure, there are obvious signs like visible leaks or the loss of hot water, but there are other signs homeowners can keep an eye out for, indicating that water heater repair, maintenance, or replacement may be needed. This post will share other signs to help homeowners determine when to call a professional and get their water heater serviced.

A More Expensive Utility Bill

All homeowners have a basic idea of how much their monthly utility costs are. Water heating is often the second largest energy expense in the house, so if the utility costs increase when there have been no noticeable changes in energy use in the household, it’s a good idea to get the water heater inspected. There are several reasons for a rise in water heating costs.

If a water heater has not had its routine water heater maintenance, it could have excess sediment that needs to be flushed out, causing inefficiency. If a water heater is old, it could also be the reason it’s working inefficiently and causing higher costs. The unit could also be malfunctioning and in need of water heater repair, causing it to consume more energy and raise costs. So, higher utility bills can be a red flag that water heater replacement, maintenance, or repair is needed.

The Water Heater Makes Noise

If a water heater starts making new, unusual noises, it can also indicate it’s time to call a plumber for water heater maintenance or repair. Some sounds that a water heater experiencing problems can make include:

Popping: Popping sounds from the water heater can indicate a buildup of sediment inside the water heater’s tank, which requires maintenance to drain and flush the water heater.
Sizzling or hissing: These noises could be from sentiment buildup, especially if it is an electric water heater. It could also be due to water or moisture on the outside of the water heater, especially if it is a gas water heater.
Banging: A banging sound can indicate a water hammer, resulting from excess pressure in the water heater when the water is forced to stop or change direction quickly. Banging noises can also indicate excess sediment in the water heater that is reacting with the heating element.
Humming or vibrating: These sounds from the water heater could mean that there is a loose valve, fixtures, or even the heating element.

The Water Has a Strange Color or Smell

Cloudy or discolored hot water or hot water with a strange smell are also signs that a water heater needs service from a plumber. A rusted and corroded water heater can cause the water to be discolored and appear brown or a rusty orange-brown color and can also cause the water to have an unusual, metallic smell.

Bacteria growing inside the water heater can also cause the hot water to have a strange smell. If the water heater is corroded, it will likely need water heater replacement because corrosion can weaken the water heater’s structural integrity and make it more prone to leaks and problems. A professional can inspect the water heater and decide the best course of action.

About 2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling

2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling is a family-owned and operated company serving the Sacramento area. They provide same-day service, financing, and live answers 24/7. Call them for water heater services in Sacramento, CA.

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Switching to a Tankless Water Heater This Year Could Be Your Best Idea Yet

Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater

A new year may be the perfect time to make changes, especially within the home, that offer advantages to homeowners. Switching from a standard storage tank water heater to a tankless water heater is a great way to get benefits like energy efficiency, savings, and a longer lifespan for the unit. This article will share the benefits of installing a tankless water heater.

Better Energy Efficiency

An appliance’s ability to run efficiently is typically one of the most important factors homeowners look at when deciding whether it is worth the installation. This is because when it’s energy efficient, it consumes less energy, is better for the environment, and creates significant savings in monthly energy bills.

Tankless water heaters are beneficial because they are energy efficient. They only heat water when hot water is needed instead of constantly keeping a large tank of water hot, so it’s ready when needed as a traditional storage water heater does. This energy efficiency leads to lower water heating costs for homeowners. Having the ability to create a consistent hot water supply, especially throughout the winter season, without paying more for water heating costs, is a significant advantage of tankless water heaters.

Take up Less Space but Provides More Hot Water

Another great advantage of having the kind of on-demand water heating provided by an instantaneous water heater is a consistent and reliable hot water supply. Homeowners who switch to tankless water heaters don’t have to worry about running out of hot water, unlike with a storage water heater, where once the tank runs out of hot water, people have to wait until that tank has replenished its hot water supply. Tankless units heat water as it passes through the heating element inside it, so as long as a hot water tap is turned on, hot water will be available.

As its name suggests, tankless water heaters also do not have a large storage tank. This means that its size is exponentially smaller than a conventional storage tank water heater, which can have anywhere from a 30-gallon to a 120-gallon capacity tank. Without a bulky tank, tankless water heaters are smaller and more compact, allowing them to fit in any house, including tiny homes, and allow for more storage space.

Longer Life Expectancy

Traditional storage tank water heaters usually last between 10 to 15 years, so switching to a tankless water heater, with a lifespan of approximately 20 years or more, is an upgrade. Tankless water heaters last longer and can save homeowners money since the longer life expectancy delays the need for a water heater replacement.

So, although the initial cost of installing a tankless water heater is more than a traditional storage water heater, the savings they provide on monthly utility bills and because of their longer life expectancy make them a cost-effective option for water heating that can save homeowners money.

About 2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling

2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling is a family-owned and operated company serving Sacramento, CA, and the surrounding areas. They offer same-day service, financing, and a lifetime workmanship guarantee. Call them today for tankless water heater installation or repair in Sacramento, CA.

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Is a Faulty Water Heater Holding Your Home Hostage?

How to Tell if Your Hot Water Heater Is Malfunctioning

When it comes to maintaining a comfortable and functional home, a water heater plays a pivotal role that often goes unnoticed - until there's a problem. People often take it for granted, enjoying the luxury of hot water at their fingertips. But like any other appliance, water heaters can also develop issues over time. Knowing how to identify the warning signs that a water heater might be in trouble is essential. This knowledge can save homeowners from unexpected breakdowns or a cold shower on a chilly morning! This blog will explore some key indicators that a water heater needs a plumber's attention.

Noisy Water Heater

When water heaters are functioning normally, they don’t usually make a sound, so homeowners who hear any noises from the water heater should investigate and call for professional assistance. Unusual water heater noises are most often caused by sediment buildup in the tank. Pockets of air in this layer of sediment boil along with the water in the tank, causing popping, creaking, or rumbling noises that indicate the need for water heater maintenance.

Most of the time, this can be solved by flushing the tank and replacing the anode rod during maintenance. However, more severe damage can be done if water heater maintenance is neglected because the water heater can corrode without replacing the anode rod or flushing the tank of sediment. Then water heater replacement might be the only viable solution.

Smelly and Discolored Water

Any changes in the appearance and smell of hot water at home may indicate a problem with the water heater. Water that smells strange or slightly metallic could be a sign of sediment buildup or corrosion in the hot water tank. The same is true for water that looks cloudy or murky or water that looks like it has a slightly orange or reddish hue to it.

These could be an indicator of a corroded water heater or pipes that have corroded. When corrosion occurs in a hot water tank, replacement often becomes the best solution. It’s essential to keep up with routine water heater maintenance to prevent corrosion and extend the water heater's lifespan.

Presence of Leaks

A leaking water heater is a problem that needs immediate professional attention. A leak in the water heating system - either in the pipes or the water tank itself - creates problems with dropping water pressure and may also lead to water damage. Homeowners who notice signs of a water leak, such as wet spots or dripping water, should have their water heaters inspected by a professional right away.

Even if there are no visible signs of a leak, any decrease in water pressure that affects only the hot water from plumbing fixtures could indicate a problem with the water heater that needs to be fixed. The good news is that these problems can be resolved by a professional plumber, though whether this problem requires repair or replacement may depend entirely on how severe the damage is to the system.

About 2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling

2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling has over four decades of experience serving the Sacramento area since 1981. They provide same-day service, financing, and live answers 24/7. Call them today for water heater repair and replacement in Rancho Cordova, CA.

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Install a New Water Heater for the New Year

Benefits of Getting a New Water Heater

An old water heater can silently cost homeowners a lot of money as it becomes less and less efficient. This is especially true of old traditional water heaters that maintain the temperature of hot water in a large tank. It takes a lot of energy to keep water at a specific temperature, especially in bulk. Homeowners who start their new year with a new water heater may be surprised about their potential savings and benefits.

Improving Efficiency and Lowering Energy Bills

As water heaters age, they become less efficient and require more energy to heat the same amount of water. This means that an old and outdated water heater will cost homeowners more money on their energy bill each month. The wear and tear on older water heaters can also cause them to break down over time, resulting in costly repairs or replacements.

Replacing a water heater with a new, more efficient model is a great way to save money and improve the efficiency of the hot water system. Newer models can reduce energy costs by up to 30%, which adds up over time and translates into savings for homeowners. Additionally, installing an energy-efficient water heater will provide a better performance, reliability, and a longer lifespan.

Water Heater Replacement Can Improve Hot Water Recovery Rate

The hot water recovery rate describes the speed with which a water heater reheats water in its tank after the hot water has been used up. The higher the recovery rate, the fewer time homeowners will have to wait between uses — and the less likely they are to end up with a cold shower. Not heating water as rapidly as it used to is definitely a sign of an aging system.

When buying a new water heater, it's important to consider the recovery rate. A higher recovery rate means the tank will replenish hot water faster, so families won't have to wait around for it. Newer models typically feature better recovery rates than older units, so with a new hot water heater, the recovery time will be much quicker, and no one will be left in the cold.

Saving Space With Tankless Water Heaters

One of the most advanced options for a new water heater is to go “tankless.” Though tankless water heaters or on-demand water heaters typically do have a tank of some sort, it is a fraction of the size of a traditional water heater and provides the following advantages:

It fits conveniently on a wall in a closet or other small space
Allows for more storage in said space
It is highly efficient, only heating water as needed
It provides practically unlimited hot water

Tankless water heaters are an excellent choice for households that need efficient water heating and extra storage space.

About 2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling

2 Plumbs Up Plumbing & Remodeling has over three decades of experience serving Sacramento, CA, and the surrounding areas. They provide same-day service, financing, and 24/7 live answers. Call them today for tankless water heater or water heater services in Sacramento, CA.