Hot Water Heater – Wilbur Henry

How Do You Know You Need A New Hot Water Heater?

Hot Water Heater, Plumbing, Question and Answer, York PA / Tom Henry

There are a few ways to determine if you need to have your hot water heater replaced.

The most apparent is when you notice leaks. Chances are, if your feet are getting wet it is time to take a serious look at the cause of the problem.

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Relief Valve Leaking?

If you notice that the relief valve is dripping, there is over 150 pounds of pressure built up which indicates that either the expansion tank is bad, or the pressure-reducing valve at the meter is not operating properly. If you notice that the relief valve runs continuously, it’s probably not good. If it comes on and then goes off every so often, it’s because too much pressure is being built up.

Rust On The Exterior Of The Hot Water Heater?

Visible rust on the exterior of the unit will indicate a need for hot water heater replacement.

If you notice rust marks on the side it’s likely because the heater is leaking from the top. If there is rust at the burner, the unit may be leaking, but the water is evaporating before it makes it to the floor.

Water Heater Leaking By Burner

Expansion Tanks Help Relieve Pressure and Can Prolong The Life Of The Hot Water Heater

The expansion tank (if you have one) is located on top of the water heater. It can prolong the life of your water heater by taking the hammer shocks out of anything that uses a Expansion Tank For Hot Water Heater solenoid valve (like washing machines and dishwashers).

Water will expand as it heats which causes a rise in the pressure.

A Quick Water History Lesson

Years ago, the water would expand back into the street, but more recently the water companies have been using backflow preventers at the water meter. This gives the pressure no way to be relieved. The resulting build-up of excess pressure is then transferred to your pipes, appliances, fixtures, and hot water heater.

What An Expansion Tank Does

With the installation of an expansion tank and maintaining it, you give the pressure a way to be relieved. Maintain it by pressing in the Schrader valve every couple of years or annually to see whether air is in it or not. If water comes out of this valve, the rubber bladder inside has ruptured. Water is now against the steel in the expansion tank which inevitably will lead to leaking.

In Summary, A Leak Is Not What You Want To See.

Again, the most obvious sign that it’s time for hot water heater replacement is when you notice leaks.

If your feet get wet, it’s time for a hot water heater replacement. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact a professional plumber in York PA.

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How Often You Should Flush Your Hot Water Heater

Blog Posts, Hot Water Heater, How To Repair, Question and Answer / Tom Henry

Hot water heater maintenance is often overlooked, but very important. Maintenance on your hot water heater should take place at least once a year.

To Get Started – It Is Pretty Easy…

What you can do is use a five-gallon bucket to allow the water from the hot water heater to drain into. Draining all of the water isn’t usually necessary and you can just flush the bottom to remove the calcium and dirt. Otherwise, it acts as an insulator because the burner is on the bottom and if you have an inch of sediment, your burner needs to run much longer to maintain the desired temperature.

Newer hot water heaters run the cold tube through the bottom which helps to keep the calcium and dirt flushed out. If the burner comes on and you hear crackling, it’s because of the sediment on the bottom of the water heater. If you hear that, try flushing a gallon or two of water out to loosen the debris and remove it.

Locate The Relief Valve

If you’re going to flush the water or drain it completely, attach a hose to the bottom. The drain is located at the bottom of the tank within the hot water heater unit. When you drain a water heater, open the relief valve (which is at the top and noted on the right) to allow air to come into the tank, otherwise, there will be a vacuum and it won’t allow the water to flow out.

Just A Few Gallons Not Completely

Avoid draining it completely unless necessary! This should only be done in extreme circumstances. Typically, if you need to drain the entire tank it’s probably time to replace the hot water heater.

Let It Cool Before Adding Back The Cold Water

The worst thing you can do is drain a hot water heater to put cold water back in it. They? re glass-lined and can be cracked due to the difference in temperatures. Allow the heater to cool to about room temperature before refilling.

If you don’t feel comfortable handling hot water heater maintenance yourself, seek the assistance of a professional service technician like Wilbur Henry. Contact us today at 717-755-5461 or use our contact form, and let us do the hot water heater maintenance for you!

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Hot Water Heater Installation on Rexwood Dr in Glen Rock PA

Glen Rock PA, Hot Water Heater / Tom Henry

Our technician Jeff went to our customers home on Rexwood Dr in Glen Rock PA to take a look at the hot water heater not working properly.

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The old hot water heater was taken out and removed upon departure.
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Jeff had to install and cut to size new PVC tubing for the outside vents to work from the high efficiency furnace properly.
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Jeff installed a new AO Smith hot water heater that included a 6 year part and tank warranty. The installation took 2.5 hours to complete.
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The customer called us to say how nice the crew members were and to say how pleased she was with the job.