Minimize Water Heater Issues

It can happen any time. Suddenly, there’s no hot water for that soothing bath you were planning to take. Or you sense an unpleasant odor lingering in your home. Whatever the symptoms, your hot water heater clearly has seen better days. This means you’ll need an expert in water heater repair…fast. Unless you love cold showers.

Of course, you always can minimize your chances of encountering water heater issues. This requires nipping any potential problems in the bud. Here are a few simple and effective steps you can take:

• With a gas water heater, you’ll need to consistently check the pilot light. Look for a blue flame with a yellow tip. A pure yellow flame could indicate a safety problem. In that case, contact a professional plumber to address the issue as soon as possible.

• While doing a once-over on the pilot light, look for an accumulation of soot. Excessive soot can clog the flue and result in carbon monoxide leakage.

• Once every three months, drain the tank water. This action minimizes the accumulation of sediment on the bottom of your tank. Sediment is a known cause of poor heater performance, as well as very loud annoying noises.

• Save yourself time, headache, and guesswork by letting a water heater repair specialist conduct an in-depth inspection. This very sensible step should be taken at least once every two years. Once on the job, the specialist has the resources and expertise to diagnose potential problems and perform any required repairs. Rest assured, this type of service will greatly minimize the need to replace the entire water heater in the future.

Save On Your Water Bills

A little water conservation goes a long way to saving your money on your water bills, as well as saving wear and tear on our planet -- all at the same time. You easily can do your part by taking any or all of these essential steps:

• Avoid the over-use of detergents or chemicals. These agents can destroy the much-needed natural bacteria in your septic system.

• Whenever possible, keep things clean with biodegradable soaps and detergents.

• We all forget things from time to time. That’s why you’ll definitely want to obtain a spring-loaded timer that connects to your exterior faucet. This inexpensive measure prevents overwatering should you forget to turn off your sprinkler.

• Contact a home plumbing expert to gauge the water pressure in your home. Any number beyond 60 pounds per square inch could cause damage to your plumbing system, as well as a significant over-usage of water. If the number has passed the 60 psi mark, it’s a real good idea to protect your system by installing a pressure-reduction valve. This highly effective move will keep a lid on your home’s water pressure.

• Check your water meter during times of non-usage. Note the reading, then check the meter eight to ten hours later. If there has been movement in the meter, this could mean a hidden water leak. In that case, be sure to contact your local home plumbing expert for an assessment.