When you turn on the hot water faucet and only cold comes out, there is usually a problem. When you walk into the basement and find the floor covered in water, there is definitely a problem, especially if water is spewing from the hot water heater. If this happens to you, the first thing you should do is turn off the water to the home. Most homes have a main shut off valve. It’s important to know where this is, for a situation such as this, or in the instance of a broken pipe or faucet. After the water has been stopped, you will need to contact a plumber, such as Jeff Mumm Plumbing, to determine if your water heater can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.
Usually repair or replacement of Water Heaters in Omaha NE, have to do with age. Most water heaters only last 6 – 8 years on average, so if yours is close to the end of its life span, most plumbers will recommend replacing the unit. If the unit is fairly new and not heating water, it could be a burned out element or malfunctioning thermostat. If that’s the case, these fixes are relatively minor and can have your hot water flowing again within a short amount of time. A leak in the unit usually requires replacement, especially if the tank is rusted. It is never cost effective to repair a situation such as that. Occasionally, a fitting or connection may have come loose. If that’s the case, a few quick turns of a wrench, the leak will be stopped, and no more water will be coming from the tank.
Unfortunately, Water Heaters in Omaha NE aren’t usually given much thought until they give a problem. It’s usually recommended to drain your tank once every year or two to remove any sediment build up. This helps increase efficiency and can also help to increase the life of your tank, as the build up of sediment can cause the tank to rust prematurely. If you aren’t comfortable doing the job yourself, most plumbing companies offer hot water heater maintenance to help keep your tank running at its best. Take care of your hot water heater and you’ll increase the time it will take care of you.
