When Is the Right Time to Call for Water Heater Service?

Signs of a Faulty Water Heater That Needs Attention

Water heaters do a lot of work to provide hot water for a home. However, they may not be noticed until something goes wrong. Obvious signs like the loss of hot water or leaks from the water heater indicate to homeowners that they should call for service, but there are additional signs homeowners can keep an eye out for to alert them to an issue with their water heater.  Here are additional signs of a faulty water heater indicating professional water heater repair, maintenance, or replacement will be necessary.

Rising Utility Costs

bills Water heating can account for a significant part of monthly utility bills. However, the costs of operating a water heater should be fairly predictable from month to month. When spikes in energy usage occur, leading to higher utility bills, it can be a sign that something is wrong with the water heater, and water heater service is needed.

Water heating costs can rise for several reasons. First, scale and sediment can build up in the tank, so the water heater doesn’t operate as efficiently. This problem is best handled with routine water heater maintenance, where the water heater can be drained and flushed to remove the sediments. A malfunction needing water heater repair can also cause the water heater to work harder to heat water, raising costs. Also, as water heaters get older, they can lose efficiency, so a high utility bill could also indicate that water heater replacement is needed to replace an old, inefficient water heater.

New Noises

sounds Many problems with mechanical devices and appliances are evident by the noises they produce, and the water heater is no different. If homeowners hear sounds coming from their water heater, it can also be an indication that the water heater needs to be maintained or repaired and is a sign to call for service. Some noises that can indicate water heater problems are:

  • Banging can indicate too much pressure or excess sediment in the water heater.
  • Popping can also indicate excess sediment in the tank.
  • Sizzling or hissing could be due to excess sediment or water outside the water heater.
  • Ticking can also be caused by the water pressure in the water heater.
  • Humming or vibrating can indicate something in the water heater is loose.

Unusual Odors or Water Discoloration

Water heaters are protected, and corrosion is prevented with routine maintenance, including tasks like flushing the sediment from the tank and replacing the anode rod once it wears out. These tasks are important because corrosion weakens the water heater’s tank and can lead to more frequent problems like leaks.

When corrosion occurs with the water heater, water heater replacement is often needed. Some common signs that can indicate corrosion of the water heater are a strange metallic smell of hot water and when hot water comes out of fixtures discolored, often appearing a rusty or brown color.

About Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc.

Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. is an electrical, heating, air conditioning, and plumbing company serving the Wenatchee area. They provide trustworthy recommendations, financing, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them for water heater services in Wenatchee, WA.

Easy Ways for Homeowners to Identify Water Leaks

How to Detect Leaks So a Plumber Can Be Called for Repair

Water leaks and burst pipes can cause massive headaches for property owners, including repair and water costs, water damage, major cleanups, and more. Fortunately, there are several ways for homeowners to catch leaks, so a plumber can be called to detect and repair them quickly. This article will offer guidance to help homeowners promptly identify water leaks, including signs to watch for, high water bills, and a running water meter.

Symptoms of a Leak

There are several signs homeowners might notice that can alert them to a leak in their homes. While standing water and puddles in or outside the home are obvious signs, property owners should also look for evidence of mold or mildew growth, water stains or wet spots on walls, ceilings, or floors, and low water pressure from plumbing fixtures.

Property owners should also pay attention to the sounds of running water when the plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances are not being used, as this is another sign of a leak. Water damage like damaged floors, sagging ceilings, and paint or wallpaper that begins to peel also point to a leak.

Higher Than Usual Water Bills

bills In addition to the previously mentioned signs of water leaks, homeowners should also watch their water bills. If a household’s water bills increase without an obvious increase in the household’s water usage, it can indicate a leak in the plumbing system that is wasting water.

If there’s a leak, there will be an increase in the home’s water usage, which results in higher water costs, alerting property owners that they should schedule plumbing repair as soon as possible to have experts locate the leak and fix it before further water damage and high water costs occur.

Running Water Meter When Water Isn’t Being Used

water meterHomeowners can also check their water meters to determine if there is a leak. To begin, ensure all water inside and outside the home is turned off, including fixtures, appliances, and irrigation systems. Next, record the reading on the water meter, then wait 1-2 hours without using any water, and check the meter again. If the reading has changed, this indicates a potential leak.

Many water meters also have a leak indicator to help homeowners identify a water leak. The leak indicator on the meter is typically a small triangular dial or silver wheel, which moves as water flows through the meter. If the leak indicator is turning while all water is off, this confirms a leak that needs to be addressed. Scheduling water leak detection and repair services at the first signs of an issue can help homeowners limit the damage and costs associated with a leak.

About Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc.

Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. is a residential plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical company serving Wenatchee, WA, and the surrounding areas. They provide comprehensive diagnosis, trustworthy recommendations, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for burst pipe and leak repair in Wenatchee, WA.

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When to Install a Water Softener and Their Benefits

Hard Water Basics Homeowners Need to Know

If homeowners find themselves having to replace appliances that use water more frequently than expected or scraping residue and buildups off of their plumbing fixtures, this can indicate that they have hard water. Hard water refers to water that has high concentrations of minerals, and the majority of homes in the U.S. have it. It is typically caused by calcium and magnesium dissolving in groundwater, and it can wreak havoc on a home’s plumbing system and create other issues for a household.

Hard water doesn’t pose health risks to families but can affect plumbing appliances, clothing, and other items. To avoid these problems, plumbers recommend that homeowners install a water softener. This post will explain how these systems work, their benefits, and what symptoms of hard water homeowners should look for.

How Water Softeners Treat Hard Water

water softenerWater softeners can effectively remove minerals like calcium and magnesium from a home’s water supply. One common type is a salt-based water softener, also called an ion exchange water softener, because it uses an ion exchange process to remove the minerals that cause water hardness.

The first step in this water-softening system involves water flowing into the water-softener resin tank. Here, the water encounters resin beads. These are negatively charged and will hold onto the positively charged ions in the hard water. The water is softened by exchanging these ions for sodium ions, and it can then travel through the home’s plumbing system. Water from the brine tank then enters the resin tank to create a brine solution. Then, a backwash cycle is performed to rinse away accumulated minerals in the resin bed.

Signs a Home Has Hard Water

Property owners should identify the signs of hard water that indicate water softener installation would be beneficial to protect their plumbing systems and appliances. One of the first signs homeowners might notice is a scale buildup on plumbing fixtures. Property owners commonly see this while cleaning. If they frequently scrub white residue from their plumbing fixtures, it can indicate hard water.

They might also notice lower water pressure in the shower and faucets. Mineral buildup inside the pipes and fixtures can restrict the water flow. This buildup can also occur inside plumbing and appliances that use hot water, causing additional wear and tear and shortening their lifespans.

Other common signs of hard water are spotting and cloudiness on glasses and dishes even after washing them in the dishwasher, or clothes and laundry that fade quicker from being washed in hard water. Family members might also notice their skin or hair is dry. If homeowners notice these signs, they have hard water and should consider installing a whole-house water softener.

Why Homes Can Benefit From Whole Home Water Softeners

save money When a household has hard water, it can benefit from installing a water softener system. These systems can help prolong the lifespan of plumbing appliances and fixtures by preventing a buildup of minerals that can hamper their performance. A water softener can even improve the efficiency of appliances that use water, like water heaters, which lowers operating costs.

They can also save time cleaning as homeowners won’t have to spend as much time scrubbing mineral residue off fixtures or rewashing glasses and dishes to remove spots. Homeowners can also experience healthier, more hydrated skin and hair, better water pressure, and longer-lasting clothing.

About Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc.

Patriot Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Inc. has won 8 consecutive Wenatchee World’s Best Awards while serving Wenatchee and the surrounding areas. They offer fast, tidy service, financing, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for water softener services in Wenatchee, WA.

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