subject: Water Heaters – When You Need To Get INTO Hot Water! [print this page] Water Heaters When You Need To Get INTO Hot Water!
The only time most people really spend thinking about their water heaters is in the middle of winter, when they get up in the dark to take a hot shower and they're blasted with a jet of icy water. A water heater should last for many years, depending on the quality and the installation. While you may have to deal with small niggles like thermostat changes, bigger problems like a water leak should be handled by a professional plumber with experience in water heaters. The overall lifespan of a water heater is up to 15 years, but having a regular inspection of your hot water system as part of your home maintenance schedule is important, as you will be able to diagnose problems, before you hit the cold shower.
How Does A Water Heater Work?
Like most of the plumbing in your home, a water heater remains out of sight and mind until it stops working. A water heater is a steel tank that holds up to 100 gallons of water. When you turn on the faucet, heated water is pumped from the top of the tank to where you need it and cold water is pumped into the bottom of the tank to be heated until its ready for use. It's that simple. Just as soon as the overall temperature drops, the thermostat signals the heating element to work. A gas water heater has a burner underneath the tank while electric heaters have an element in the tank to heat the water.
When A Good Water Heater Goes Bad
If you ever see boiling water coming out of your faucet, or can see steam, you need to turn off your water heater immediately and get a professional to inspect it. Boiling water usually means that the thermostat is broken and the water is overheating. If left unchecked, this will damage the heater beyond repair and you'll have to replace the entire unit. As part of your home maintenance, you should have the tank drained and cleaned every six months by a pro.
Because you are not only dealing with water, but with power as well, it is always best to call in a professional plumber to handle any repairs to a water heater. Gas heaters require slightly more maintenance than electric ones, but many people choose gas water heaters because they are more economical than electric ones. What many people are doing is having a tankless water heater installed by a plumber when their old tank water heater needs replacing.
