Can you imagine trying to get through a week without a working water heater? How about a single day? Not pleasant scenarios to think about, are they?
We want to help you avoid problems with your water heater so you don’t have to face these kinds of troubles. It all starts with getting an excellent water heater installation in Rochester, NY. But even the best water heater can malfunction at some point. We’re going to look at several common water heater concerns and what you can do about them.
Why does it take so long for my shower to get hot?
There are several possible reasons for a delay in getting hot water in your shower (or any other tap). It could be a problem with the circulator pump on the water heater, which is the part that moves hot water from the water tank and into the freshwater plumbing. The water heater may have excess sediment on the bottom of the tank, which makes it harder for the heat exchanger to warm up the water. A more extreme case is the water heater is coming to the end of its service life and is losing its hot water capacity. Our plumbers can investigate your water heater and find out what’s causing the problem.
How do I shut off my leaking water heater?
Leaks from a water heater are a serious problem, and when you see them we recommend you shut off the water heater right away and call us for assistance. Here’s how to do this:
- Locate the temperature dial at the bottom of the water heater and turn it down to zero.
- Turn off the plumbing line. This is a pipe located at the top of the water heater that brings in freshwater. Turn the valve completely to shut it off.
- Shut off the gas supply line (if you have a gas water heater). You’ll likely find this behind the water heater. Turn the valve to stop gas flow.
Your water heater is now shut down—and it’s time to call our experts.
How long does a water heater last in New York?
There is not much difference in the life expectancy of a water heater in New York compared to most other parts of the country. Cold weather does put more strain on a water heater because it must expend more energy to heat up the low-temperature water that enters it. But with regular maintenance, you should be able to get a gas water heater to last for 12 years, and an electric water heater for more than 15.
Tank vs. tankless water heaters
Life expectancy for tankless water heaters is higher, around 20 years. However, a tankless water heater can run into some specific problems, such as intake clogging from minerals. We strongly recommend that you have a water filter installed along with your tankless water heater to help prevent clogging from scale and other minerals.
Triple-O Heating, Cooling, Electrical & Plumbing Is Your One-stop Shop for HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical. If you need great water heater service, call us today.