Common Signs You Need Water Heater Repair | Richmond, VA

1/3/2021

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Richmond, VA, has hot, muggy summers and cool winters. So, a water heater must work every day. You do not want to wake up to a cold shower or find out on a freezing winter morning that your heating is not working in your house. 

At bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Richmond, VA, we pride ourselves as water heater repair experts, so if you find yourself in need of a water heater repair, get on the phone and call the professionals at bluefrog.

Common Problems with Water Heaters

There are two main types of water heaters, tank or tankless, and each type has its own unique set of problems. A tank water heater keeps a large external tank of hot water on standby all the time. Tankless heaters can generate hot water on demand so they are more energy-efficient. These units are very robust but can break down from time to time. Both types can be heated by either electricity or gas.

Leaks

If there is water around your heater, there may be a loose connection that needs tightening. A value could be faulty, so calling a plumber for a water heater repair is necessary to replace it. If the leak comes from the tank, it may be corroded and needs to be replaced. 

Pilot Light Will Not Come On

This is a common problem with gas-powered heaters. There may be a problem with your gas supply, but if that is working properly, then the gas valve may not be opening fully, or the ignition unit may be broken. There may be a more serious underlying reason for this problem. Whatever the reason you need to call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain to book a water heater repair.

Flame Failure

This is another problem with gas-powered water heaters. You may see the flame flickering and changing color when the flame quality worsens. This usually means that there is a problem with the gas pressure or the electric system. A check needs to be made as to whether enough gas pressure is reaching the unit. There may be air trapped in the gas lines and it will have to be bled from the system. These are dangerous jobs that a homeowner should not attempt. Leave It to a qualified plumbing technician at bluefrog to perform this water heating repair for you.

There Is Not Any Ignition

There could be many reasons for this, and only an experienced plumber can locate the problem quickly. There may be an electrical problem, a problem with the flow sensor, and other gas flow issues. Whatever the situation, the plumbers at bluefrog will be able to take care of it for you.

Air Vent Blockages

Unless you have an electric water heater, your system will need to have fresh air for combustion and a venting system for the exhaust gases. Without enough outside air coming in, the unit will stop working. If the exhaust vent is blocked, dangerous gases could build up in your home. You need to ensure that the air vents are cleaned regularly as part of routine maintenance.

Mineral Buildup

In hard water areas, the scale forms on the insides of water heaters and damages the tank. We suggest that you descale your system at least twice a year, reducing the need for water heater repair or even for a replacement unit. 

Water Heater Is Overloaded

Another common problem practically in homes with large families is that the water heater is overloaded. Running too many water appliances at once leaves the water heater unable to cope with the demand, and it may even shut down. You need to decrease the number of appliances you have on at any given moment or stagger their use throughout the day. Repeated shutdowns may break the unit requiring a water heater repair. 

It is probably better to upgrade your water heater so it can cope with the extra demand. With such a bewildering choice on the market, you may need some expert advice from bluefrog Plumbing + Drain to help you with deciding which water heater best suits your needs.

A Regular Service Will Increase the Lifespan of Your Water Heater

They say nothing lasts forever, and this is especially true of water heaters. However, many of the issues listed above may be preventable with a regular service from one of bluefrog’s highly skilled technicians. A regular tune-up will make the water heater more economical to run and increase its working life. Without regular service, your manufacturer’s warranty will likely be invalid.

The average water heater repair is typically over $500, so getting routine maintenance from bluefrog Plumbing + Drain to make sure your water heater is always running smooth makes a lot of sense.

Why Choose bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Richmond, VA?

bluefrog Plumbing + Drain takes great pride in serving our local Richmond, VA community. We are experts at fixing water heaters and any other plumbing problems you may face.

If you have any plumbing problem, then call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain today. You’ll be glad you did.