Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Tankless Water Heater’

Common Issues Causing Water Heater Repair

Wednesday, June 1st, 2016

water heater repairman

Without a doubt, a water heater repair is one of the most inconvenient home repairs. 

We don’t realize how absolutely miserable life can be until there is no hot water in the house.

Aren’t we fortunate to live in a time when we don’t need to heat up water at the stove in order to have a comfortable bath? How far we have come with technology is pretty amazing. In 2016 we tend to take for-granted  daily frequent water use, like washing our hands, or giving our kids a warm bath. You can attribute a water heater leak or breakdown to normal wear and tear most of the time, so it’s not anything unusual. As your local fox valley plumbers, one of our most common calls is for repair water heaters. Nonetheless, you still need to get it fixed right away in order to keep your everyday routine in tact. 

What are the common issues associated with water heater repair?

As plumbers, we are often called to address problems like leaks, strange sounds, and water temperature changes. For instance, if you notice a puddle forming around the bottom of the water heater, chances are the tank has sprung a leak. Water minerals corrode steel over time, so a leak usually means that there’s a crack somewhere along the interior of the heating tank and it’s time for a new one. Other times it’s a simple repair that may even be covered under the warranty of your water heater. It all just depends on the age of the system and volume of use over time. For this, you need to call your local plumber to install the replacement part or to help you choose a new water heater. Of course, a leak may originate elsewhere. At any rate, your plumber will tell you what the source of the problem is and what his recommended remedy is. 

When your water heater starts producing strange noises like whining, bangs, creaks, or squeals, you need to have it checked out by a plumber. Most of the time, those noises are due to sediment that settles at the bottom of the tank. When it comes into contact with the heating component, sounds produced by the debris heating up will be easily audible. To find out what’s really causing the noise and to conduct the necessary mending, call your plumber for a diagnosis.

Other signs of a troubled water heater

  • When your water heater is not reaching the heat temperature as it used to, this is a signal that your heater needs to be checked out. Look at your thermostat and see if it’s working properly. Whether the problem is with the heating tank or with the thermostat, your system requires inspection and possible repair.
  • If your water heater is not giving you hot water at all, then something’s obviously wrong. With gas heaters, the trouble usually involves a faulty pilot light; with electric tanks, it could be a tripped breaker. Your plumber will find out what’s causing the problem and let you know about appropriate fixes.
  • The most obvious need for water heater repair will come when you have flooding from your water heater. Although this is more of an extreme example, it does happen typically due to old age and overall system failure.  In this case, it is time to replace your water heater.

Anytime you need water heater repair, Fox Valley customers can count on Turek’s Plumbing to make an accurate diagnosis and deliver the appropriate fix.

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Tankless Water Heater Facts

Wednesday, April 13th, 2016

tankless water heater benefits

What you need to know about your Tankless Water Heater system

Whether you are looking for a water heating system for your new home or your current system has seen better days and needs a replacement, one of the first things you need to do is to look at all of your available options and weigh their pros and cons. This will allow you to make an informed purchasing decision. When you are shopping for a water heating system, one system that should be on your radar is a tankless water heater system.

Also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters, tankless heaters provide hot water when you need it. Unlike other water heaters, this type of water heater does not lose energy while in standby mode, allowing you to save more money over the long-term. If you are eyeing a tankless water heater replacement, here is how the system works.

How tankless heaters work

Tankless heaters eliminate the need for storage tanks. Instead, the water is heated when it passes through the system, which may be fuelled by gas or electricity. This means that you can get a constant stream of hot water when you need it. You do not have to wait for a tank to be filled enough. These heaters are versatile enough to be used for a variety of purposes including bathrooms and hot tubs, for appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, and as a booster for solar water heaters.

Pros and cons of Tankless Water heaters

One of the major selling points of these heaters is the amount of energy and money that you can save. If your household’s hot water consumption is 41 gallons and below, you can save as much as 34 percent in energy usage. You can find this out by looking at your water bill. If your household’s consumption of hot water is greater than 41 gallons, you can expect energy use reduction of as much as 14 percent. If you choose to install one tankless water heater for each water outlet, you can even save as much as 50 percent on energy cost.

Despite these advantages, tankless heaters have a few disadvantages. The cost of a tankless water heater is considerably higher than a standard tank water heater. However, you can recoup your initial investment through energy efficiency and the longevity of this type of system. Typically, this system can last more than 20 years with proper care and maintenance.

Both types of this heater, gas and electric-powered, have lower water flow rates. This means that you may not have ample hot water if you take a shower while another person in your home needs to use hot water for dish or clothes washing. It is possible to overcome this hurdle by having another tankless heater installed. If you are choosing a gas-fired system, you need to be aware that the pilot lights used in these can offset the benefit of energy conservation. You may want to choose models that have pilot lights that can be turned off or those with intermittent ignition devices.

When you are ready for an evaluation of your current water heater and would like a free estimate be sure to call your local plumber. Your Fox Valley Plumber will be able to properly measure and evaluate your current water heating system and provide you with an estimate from professional installation for a new one.

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