Having no hot water impacts the entire family, making it difficult to bathe, do laundry, and clean. Water heaters fail for a variety of reasons, and when they do, it’s good to know you have an expert hot water heater repair company in Malverne, NY, ready to help. Charles Krull & Son, Inc. Plumbing & Heating has over 100 years in the residential plumbing business, and we’ve seen and solved every water heater problem you can imagine. Give us a call if your water heater isn’t performing as it should.
Are your water bills going up for no apparent reason? Contact us and ask about our water leak detection services to see if that’s the problem.
Symptoms of a Failing Water Heater
When water heaters fail, sometimes it’s worse than cold showers; sometimes, it’s water leaking all over the floor. Most water heaters give clues that they’re going bad, so watch out for these signs and call for repair or replacement right away.
- You have no hot water
- The water gets warm but never hot
- Your water heater makes strange noises like rumbling or banging
- The water coming out of your spigot is rusty or discolored
- Your water has a metallic taste
- You notice water leaking around the tank
Having hot water isn’t a luxury — it’s essential to living in a comfortable home. While most people prefer to repair aging water heaters, you should consider replacing yours if the unit is over ten years old or your repair costs are more than $200. If you’re not sure which way to go, contact us for a consultation.
How to Maintain Your Water Heater
Your water heater works hard to provide you with hot water day and night, and if you have a large family, the demand is even greater. To ensure your water heater remains efficient, and to extend its lifespan to the maximum, you should follow a routine maintenance schedule. Here’s what to do:
- Adjust the Thermostat - For every 10 degrees you reduce the temperature, you save up to 5% on your energy costs. Lowering the temperature also reduces the chance of scalding.
- Flush the Tank - Draining the tank a few times a year removes sediment that can build up over time and impede performance and cause premature failure.
- Examine the Anode Rod - The anode rod is prone to corrosion, so check it by removing it and replace it if it’s coated with calcium, or if more than 6 inches of the core wire is exposed.
- Insulate Older Tanks - Older water heaters don’t have thorough insulation, so adding a fiberglass jacket to it can improve efficiency and reduce wear and tear.
- Call for Help - Once a year, call a professional plumber and ask about their water heater maintenance services.
Following these easy steps will keep your water heater running well and ensure you catch any small problems before they turn into catastrophes.
Are you interested in getting a garbage disposal? How about a new sink to add functionality to your Malverne kitchen? Call us for all of your kitchen plumbing needs today.
Electric Water Heater vs. Gas Water Heater
If you’re building a home, or need to replace an aging water heater, you may wonder which type is more economical: gas or electric. Here are a few things to consider.
Heating is the second largest expense in the home and accounts for up to 18% of your utility bill. So, picking the right water heater is crucial to keep those costs as low as possible.
Depending on your local utility costs, gas water heaters are generally cheaper to operate over electric; however, they do cost more upfront. To find out which model is right for you, call Charles Krull & Son, Inc. Plumbing & Heating for help.
Types of Water Heaters
- Electric
- Gas
- Conventional gas water heaters
- Indirect water heaters
- Power vent water heaters
- High recovery water heaters
- Extra high recovery water heaters
- Point of use water heaters
- Small electric water heaters (2-gallon & 6-gallon)
