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When to Call a Plumber for Water Heater Repair
Water heaters heat and store incoming cold water for dishwashers, clothes washers, showers, and tubs. When a problem occurs with your water heater, you will want to hire a professional plumber visit Water Heater Repair Spring TX to proceed.
First, ensure electricity gets to the appliance by checking that the circuit breaker or fuse is not tripped.
If your water heater needs to provide more hot water for everyone in your house, several issues may be at play. The first thing you should do is check the thermostat to make sure it isn’t set too low. It would help to keep it between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit to save energy. The thermostat can be adjusted by turning the dial on the side of your water heater.
If you turn the temperature dial up and still don’t have enough hot water, your water heater is undersized for your home. Replacing it with a larger unit may be the best course of action.
Another issue could be that the heating elements have gone bad and must be fixed. This is most likely to happen with electric units but can also occur with gas units if the thermocouple or thermopile is defective. If this is the case, replacing them will solve your problem.
A faulty in-line or ball valve is another common cause of not having enough hot water. This is usually a simple fix and can be done by a plumber. If the water tank leaks, it can often be fixed by draining and flushing the unit. This is typically a job for a plumber, as it requires shutting off breakers and draining the unit, but they can do this quickly and at a reasonable cost.
Some leaks can be fixed by simply tightening the nut on the pressure relief valve. If this isn’t the case, it will require removing the unit and replacing the valve.
If you notice any water leaking around your water heater, you should turn off the power and water supply, then immediately call a professional to take a look. Some problems, like tank leaks, are unfixable and need to be replaced, but the pros will help you understand your options and answer any questions you might have.
If the water coming from your faucets smells like rotten eggs or has a metallic odor, it’s important to find the source of this problem. If a gas leak causes the scent, contacting a professional to address this issue immediately is best. If the odor comes from your water heater, several things can be done to fix the problem.
The first step is to determine whether the odor and discoloration are present in hot and cold water or only in hot water. If they are only in hot water, the problem likely stems from your water heater, and you should flush the tank as your appliance manufacturer recommends. If they occur in hot and cold water, the problem may be caused by your well or plumbing system. This requires a thorough flushing of your entire water system by a licensed plumber.
If the odor is coming from your water tank, it’s often a sign of a magnesium anode rod that has become corroded. This rod is designed to absorb rust from the tank but can start to erode and produce hydrogen sulfide when exposed to water containing sulfites. Hydrogen sulfide can be dangerous at high levels and cause nausea, headaches, and delirium in humans. A plumber can replace your magnesium anode with an aluminum or aluminum/zinc anode to stop the odor and prevent damage to your water heater.
If the odor comes from your drain pipes, it’s usually a sign of bacteria in the pipes. These bacteria produce gases that smell like sewage when the drain is used. The bacteria are generally caused by your water heater running at a low temperature or sitting idle for an extended period. Disinfecting the drainpipes with a hydrogen peroxide solution will usually eliminate this odor. If the smell persists, a plumbing professional should assess your system and recommend a whole-house water treatment solution.
Most homeowners give more thought to their water heater when it starts acting up. When this important household appliance goes awry, it can create many problems that are difficult to ignore. Being unable to shower, wash dishes, or clean the laundry room is frustrating and inconvenient. Worse still, a leaking water heater can lead to significant home damage and high water bills. Call a plumber to schedule repairs immediately if you see signs of a leaking water heater.
Leaks from pipes, fixtures, and appliances are a common problem that can occur in any home. Worn-out or damaged pipe joints typically cause them, clogged or overflowing pipes, and pipe corrosion. These problems can be easily prevented with routine plumbing maintenance. In addition, homeowners can reduce the risk of leaks by regularly checking behind appliances and cabinet corners for rust or discoloration.
Water stains on the walls and ceilings and higher than-usual water bills are all signs that you have a leaking water heater. If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, you should shut off the water in your house and turn off any hot-water-using appliances. If there is a lot of water flow, you should also place a bucket under the leak to prevent flooding.
If you notice that the water from your tank has a strong sulfur smell or is discolored, it may be a sign of corroded metal parts or sediment buildup in the tank. In some cases, this can be repaired by flushing the tank and having a plumber replace the magnesium or aluminum anode rod.
You can prevent some water heater leaks by draining the tank about twice a year. This will keep sediment from building up and rusting the tank. It is best to drain the water heater with a hose connected to the temperature pressure relief valve at the top and the drain valve at the bottom of the unit.
It would help if you also had a plumber inspect and replace the float and the refill and venting valves at least once every five years. These valves can wear out, causing the water heater to overheat and leak.
When water heaters start to make noises, it’s a sign that something is wrong and you should take action. While homeowners can address some noises, others will require the help of a professional plumber.
Screeching sounds are typically caused by a partially closed valve that traps water and creates a high-pressure environment. This will cause the water to try to escape through the trapped water, resulting in the screeching sound you hear.
Tapping noises indicate that your check valves need to be adjusted or replaced, or you might have sediment buildup in the tank. In either case, you’ll want to have a professional inspect your water heater and check all valves to ensure they can open and close properly.
A squeaking sound is usually confined to one fixture or area of plumbing and can often be traced back to a worn washer, grimy aerator, loose brass screw, or other small component that needs to be replaced. In most cases, a quick repair by a professional should resolve the issue.
Loud banging or rattling noises can indicate that your pipes are expanding or contracting as they heat up and cool down. This can be a problem for copper pipes that need to be insulated because they will enlarge and then shrink to scrape against house joists, studs, and wall supports. In some instances, turning down the temperature of your water heater may help resolve the issue without requiring any invasive pipe work.
Knocking or hammering noises can occur when water crashing into shutoff valves too quickly causes a shockwave that hits the pipes and makes them vibrate and make noise. This is a small deal, but it can be unpleasant if the sound disappears. Installing air chambers or water hammer arrestors can help to eliminate these sounds.
Singing or sizzling sounds can signify that your water heater is nearing the end of its life and will soon need to be replaced. If this is the case, you’ll likely need to drain and flush your tank to remove any accumulated sediment in the bottom of it. Performing these routine maintenance tasks will extend the life of your water heater and save you money in the long run.
Hydro Jetting Removes Sewer Line Blockages and Clogs
Fats, oils, and grease (FOG) are the number one cause of sewer line blockages and clogs. While snaking can break up some of this buildup, Hydro Jetting Los Angeles can remove it entirely from your pipes.
Avoid recurrent clogs and prevent costly repairs with a hydro jetting service from your local plumber. Learn about the many benefits of this drain-cleaning method.
All buildings experience slow or clogged drains and sewer lines at one point or another. Materials like minerals, grease, sludge and debris build up in your pipes over time causing sluggish drainage and backups. If you’ve tried using a snake to remove the buildup and found that it doesn’t get rid of all of the gunk, hydro jetting may be your best option.
This non-invasive technique is a green technology that uses only pressurized water to clean your pipes. While no drain cleaning method can be considered 100% environmentally friendly, it’s a great improvement over other techniques that use harmful chemicals and can damage your pipes. Hydro jetting doesn’t just unclog your drains and sewer lines, it cleans them and restores them to pristine condition, preventing future clogs and saving you money in the long run.
Hydro jetting is also an effective way to clear out invasive tree roots that have infiltrated your sewer lines. The force of the high-pressure water jet blasts away the tree roots without damaging the pipe itself, which can save you money on future repairs and replacement costs.
The hydro jetting process is also a good option for older plumbing systems. It’s important to have a professional plumber perform a camera inspection before you decide to have your sewer line hydro jeted, as it can be risky for older pipes that are fragile and more likely to break under the pressure of the water jet. If you’re concerned about the age of your pipes, a professional plumber will be able to recommend other solutions that might be safer and more effective for you.
While hydro jetting is an environmentally friendly solution, it can be expensive and requires specialized equipment. It’s a good idea to have this service performed every 1-2 years as part of a preventative maintenance plan, but your plumber will be able to tell you exactly how often your pipes need to be cleaned based on the results of your video inspection.
Effective
Hydro jetting is one of the safest and most effective methods of cleaning pipes and removing blockages. Unlike mechanical drain cleaners that can damage your pipes, hydro jetting reaches into hard-to-reach areas of your plumbing and sewer system, blasting away stubborn clogs and buildup. It also leaves your pipes clean, reducing the chance of future blockages and clogs.
Hydro jetting removes grease, hair accumulation, sludge, debris, dirt, scale, roots, and other obstructions. It is the best option for resolving recurring clogs in commercial and residential plumbing systems and sewer lines. Using highly pressurized water, the jets scour your pipes clean while dislodging the blockage. The debris is then flushed away by gravity and your plumbing system’s normal flow of waste. The jets of water also eliminate bacteria and other health hazards that can develop on the walls of your plumbing and sewer pipes.
Using a video inspection, your plumber will access the pipes that need to be cleaned with a specialized nozzle. This nozzle connects to a hose that can withstand high psi forces and is connected to your plumbing system’s water tank. The plumber will use the nozzle to target the clog or blockage area, spraying water in multiple directions, cleaning the entire pipe length. The nozzle also features an attachment for vacuuming up the removed debris, making it possible to quickly and thoroughly clear even the largest of blockages.
While hydro jetting is a great choice for many clogs, it is not suitable for all situations. If your clog is caused by a collapsed pipe, or by tree roots that have penetrated your plumbing system, hydro jetting could damage your pipes. If this is the case, your plumber will suggest another solution.
In addition, if your pipes are old or in poor condition, the amount of pressure used with hydro jetting may cause damage. However, if your pipes are newer and in good condition, hydro jetting is an excellent option for keeping them clean and free of clogs and blockages. If you’re ready to give hydro jetting a try, contact HB Home Service Team today. We include a free camera inspection and 90-day warranty with every hydro jetting appointment.
Non-Invasive
Hydro jetting blasts away clogs by shooting a stream of water with high pressure. The front nozzle aims forward while the side nozzles flush backward to shift debris out of the way. This level of force can easily remove grease and soap scum that mechanical drain cleaners cannot. It is also ideal for tackling tree roots that have infiltrated sewer lines. The high water pressure can dislodge and blast away whatever is causing the blockage, including sludge that is hard to break apart.
Other traditional unclogging methods such as drain snakes may punch a hole through the blockage, but they are not thorough enough to clean the entire pipe. This means that a new clog is likely to form sooner or later. Hydro jetting is one of the few techniques that can completely eliminate the root cause of the clog and prevent future issues.
The plumber will insert a hose at the cleanout and direct the powerful water flow to the clogged area. This process does not require invasive plumbing work, so you will not have to deal with messy and loud equipment and construction noises. The nozzle is easily inserted through the cleanout, and it can reach hard-to-reach places that would be difficult to access with other methods.
In order to determine the severity of the clog and its location, the plumber will use a video inspection tool before proceeding with the hydro jetting. This will help them to identify any damaged or corroded pipes so they can take the necessary steps to repair and replace them. The specialized water pressure will also be less damaging to the pipes than other types of chemicals and solvents that can be used in the plumbing industry.
Unlike other drain cleaning methods, the water used for hydro jetting is just pure, pressurized water. This is an environmentally friendly method that does not introduce harmful chemicals or silica sand into the soil and groundwater. This is the perfect option for homeowners who want to reduce their environmental impact while still having a healthy, functional plumbing system.
Saves You Money
A major clog in the sewer line can cost you money and disrupt your home. Often, these problems can be prevented with preventative maintenance and addressing clogs as soon as they appear. But sometimes, you may experience a blockage so severe that plungers and drain snakes are ineffective.
In this case, hydro jetting can save you time and money. It uses high-pressure streams of water to blast away debris and clean the insides of pipes. This is a very efficient way to deal with large buildups and eliminate bad odors caused by bacteria in the sewer system. In addition, it can reach clogs that are located underground, saving you the time and expense of digging up your yard to get to them.
It is also effective in cleaning up the aftermath of a sewer backup. While other plumbing methods may be able to dislodge some of the debris, it is very difficult to completely remove all the sludge and waste from your pipes. Hydro jetting is the most effective way to do this without causing damage and without having to dig up your entire yard.
The power of the water stream can even dislodge tree roots that have infiltrated your sewer line. This is especially useful in older homes where the piping has not been updated. The powerful water jets can cut through the roots and clear the entire pipe, saving you from costly repairs.
Hydro jetting has been around for more than eighty years, but it wasn’t until recently that the technology became more affordable for residential homeowners. Today, the equipment is much smaller and more portable so that plumbers can use it at an affordable rate.
Hydro jetting is the fastest, most effective way to clear a clogged pipe and restore your home’s plumbing to its full functionality. It is also safe for your plumbing and the environment, making it a wise choice when you need to address serious drainage issues. By thoroughly cleaning your pipes, it is also a smart way to prevent future problems and save on expensive repair bills.