Getting a water heater replacement in Midtown Atlanta does not have to be scary.
Considering a water heater replacement in Midtown Atlanta? This is an inevitable project for all homeowners. Even today’s modern and efficient tank-based water heaters only last about a decade. Tankless models can last a bit longer than that if you take good care of them. But think of it this way: if you install a new water heater the day your first child is born, you will have to replace it at least once more before Junior leaves for college. It will be a good day when the technology improves enough to double the lifespan of a water heater!
To keep your dishes from getting spotty and to enjoy a hot shower every morning, you need a functioning water heater. Today’s families don’t have the patience for a malfunctioning water heater. And a water heater that doesn’t supply enough hot water for a busy family just won’t do. Here are some common reasons why people get a water heater replacement in Atlanta, plus some basic troubleshooting tips you can try first.
Please note that the guidance below is for traditional tank-based water heaters. Tankless water heater advice is at the bottom of the list.
Your Hot Water No Longer Gets Hot
Got cold water coming out of your water heater? Lukewarm showers will get old, fast. A non-functioning water heater is one of the most common complaints plumbers receive. There are several possible causes for a water heater that doesn’t heat water. Here is some troubleshooting guidance for gas and electric water heater.
- For a gas water heater, make sure there is still gas flowing to the water heater and confirm the pilot light is lit.
- Try turning up the thermostat to a higher temperature setting.
- If that doesn’t work, turn the water heater off and flush the water tank. Over time, sediments in your water supply can settle at the bottom of the tank. This layer of gunk prevents the heating elements from working properly.
- Refill the tank, relight the pilot light, and see if your water gets hot.
- If it doesn’t, it’s time to call a plumber. You may need a new thermocouple or thermostat. It may make more financial sense to get a whole new water heater.
For an electric water heater, follow every IT guy’s advice:
- Turn it off, and then turn it back on. You can do this by resetting just the thermostat, or find the applicable switch in your breaker box.
- Next, try turning the thermostat to a hotter setting.
- If all that doesn’t work, flush out the water tank to remove sediments. Refill the tank with water, turn everything back on, and see if you water gets hot after a couple of hours.
- If it doesn’t, call your local plumber. It might be time to replace your heating element, thermostat, or the entire water heater.
More Advice for Making Hot Water
An additional step you can take to keep your water heater hot is to wrap the tank and hot water pipes with specialized insulation. Ask your plumber to do this for you after they install your new water heater. Insulating the tank and pipes will reduce the energy it takes to keep your water hot. It will also reduce the workload you place on the water heater, which can extend its life by years.
The Water Heater Is Leaking Water
Over time, high water pressure and corrosion can destroy the seals holding the water tank together. If your hot water tank has a small leak now, it is only going to get worse. There is no feasible solution for this other than replacing the water heater. If you try to patch the leak and let it go, you risk major flooding damage to your home. Getting that cleaned up will cost you a lot more than just replacing your water heater now. It’s not worth the risk, so call your plumber at the first sign of a leak.
The Water Heater Makes Strange Noises
A few things can cause a water heater to make popping and sizzling sounds. The most common cause is sediment build-up. As water under the sediment layer heats up, it can make weird noises as it works to escape through the crud at the bottom of the tank.
Whether you have an electric or gas water heater, turn it off and flush the tank out with fresh water. (You should do this at least once a year anyway.) Flush clean water through the system until the water flowing out is clear and clean. Then fill the tank back up, turn the unit on, and see if the noise stops. If not, call your trusted plumber to diagnose and fix the problem.
A whining sound coming from the water heater usually means that one of the valves isn’t fully open. As pressurized water tries to run through a restricted valve, it can sound like your device is screaming. Double check all the valves to make sure they are open. Keeping a valve partially closed will not save you any money; it will just put added pressure on the water heater, which isn’t good. If the valves seem fine and your water heater keeps screaming, it’s time to call a plumber for help.
Should You Replace Your Old Water Heater with a Tankless Model?
One of the fastest growing markets among homeowners is tankless water heaters. Just like everything else, there are benefits and drawbacks to the appliance. Tankless models produce endless hot water by flash-heating water only when necessary for use. They also use less energy to heat water because they don’t run all the time to keep a tank of water hot. In addition, they take up far less space than tank-based water heaters.
On the other hand, mineral build-up is a big problem for tankless water heaters. If your water is even a little bit hard, you will want to install a water softener when you get this appliance. Consider this your stern warning: hard water can destroy a tankless water heater in as little as two years.
Also, keep in mind – some handy people can install a new tank-based water heater with ease, but the installation process is very different for tankless models. It’s always best to have a plumber install all water heaters – especially tankless ones.
Who Can You Trust for Water Heater Replacement in Atlanta?
Atlanta homeowners have a lot of plumbers to choose from. It’s impossible to know how many dozens of plumbers are working in the area on a given day, and it can feel overwhelming to sort the good ones from the bad. Online review sites can give you a good starting point. Focus on service providers with high customer ratings. Whittle the list down further by looking for plumbers who specialize in water heater replacement.
Try asking the people you trust for plumber referrals. We bet you will hear several glowing reviews for our expert team at Morningside Plumbing. We have spent the last four decades keeping our customers happy. Our plumbers have the training and experience to get all your plumbing projects done right.
The Morningside team knows your family doesn’t have time for cold showers, so we work fast but carefully. And best of all, we never add surprises to your bill. We strive to stay as close to our estimates as we can, and we will discuss any changes to it with you before we take action.
Morningside Plumbing has your back for all your plumbing needs. We can conduct routine inspections, re-pipe a whole house, or install a tankless water heater for you. Click or call 404-873-1881 for water heater replacement in Atlanta.