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Water Heater Repair: What Makes Your Water Heater Tick? | Bedford, TX

Water Heater Repair: What Makes Your Water Heater Tick? | Bedford, TX

Photo By Afanasiev Andrii at Shutterstock

There are many different types of water heaters. Not all water heaters are the same but all are worthy of having. Depending on where you live, how you live, and who you live with, may determine what kind of water heater you install in your home next. Water heater repair and maintenance is an important part of plumbing system care. Water heaters only last 9 to 12 years on average. It may last less if your water heater is not well maintaining and more if you care for it with professional help. If you live in Bedford, TX, and are in need of repair or maintenance, you should contact the professional plumbers at Tioga Plumbing & Electric.

How Does Your Water Heater Work?

Not all water heaters were created the same. The most commonly used water heater is the conventional or storage-tank water heater. This water differs from the popular tankless water heater. The concept and how they work are fundamentally the same. The water is transferred to the appliance, heated, and then transferred through the pipes and into your faucets. If anything goes wrong during this process you may find that you have no hot water or some other hot water malfunction. If you notice this, then you should contact a water heater repair service right away.

Valves

There are many different types of valves needed to properly operate your water heater. If you notice that any of the following valves are missing from your water heater, you should have a professional water heater repair technician install them right away. Not having the proper valves for water heater operation can be extremely dangerous and property damaging.

One of the most important valves your water heater has is the shut-off valve. The shut-off valve is not directly connected to the machine but will allow you to stop the flow of water to and from the appliance. This valve is an extremely important manually operated tool that can be very useful in emergency and plumbing malfunction situations. If you do not have this very important valve, hire a professional plumbing technician to install it right away.

The drainage valve is another valve that isn’t directly connected to the water heater itself but affects it. Water heaters require proper maintenance to thrive and last. Drainage valves will help your water heater do just that. Part of repair and maintenance is to ensure the water heater tank is clear of all forms of debris. Sediment tends to become built up in the tank, which can lead to tank damage. A damaged tank will lead to leaks. A damaged tank cannot be fixed and will have to be replaced completely. Avoid this by having your water heater tank cleaned regularly. This is done by releasing the valve and allowing the water to empty out, along with any debris. Doing this yourself can be a dangerous task due to the possible temperature of the water. If you notice any rumbling sounds in your water heater tank, that is most likely because of debris. Contact a water heater repair professional if you believe it’s time to have it drained.

The temperature valve is a valve you should already be aware of. This may be just as important as the shut off valve. If you can’t control the temperature, you risk burning yourself, or other members of your family. The recommended temperature for your home’s hot water is between 114- and 120-degrees Fahrenheit, according to experts. If you cannot locate your temperature valve, contact a water heater repair service professional to ensure your water heater actually has one. If it does not or is faulty for some reason, you can count on the professionals from Tioga Plumbing & Electric, in Bedford, TX to ensure your temperature valve is working properly.

The pressure relief valve is an extremely important component of your water heater. The pressure relief valve will keep the pressure in the tank at a safe level automatically. If your pressure relief valve is not working properly, you may have a major problem with your hand. Too much pressure can seriously damage your appliance and may even cause your water heater storage tank to explode. This is one of the many reasons it is important to have a professional plumber perform regular water heater repair and maintenance service on your water heater.

Tanks

Most water heaters have a tank or some other kind of storage apparatus. The tank in water heaters is used to store the water, heat it, and then disperse it through a heat-out pipe, located near the top of the water heater tank. The water heater tank also comprises something known as a dip tube, which funnels the water into the storage tank to be heated and stored until the water is released and sent through the heat-out pipe and into the pipelines. If your water heater tank is cracked, broken, or malfunctioning in any way, you may need to replace it. Contact a professional water heater repair professional for assessment and repair.

Not all water heaters have storage tanks. The tankless water heater, or on-demand water heater- is a tankless water heating appliance that provides instant, on-demand hot water. In order to heat the water with no tank to store it, this design of a water heater utilizes coils to heat the water. The water travels through the plumbing system and water heater just as it does with other water heating appliances, except instead of going into a tank, the water is temporarily stored through various coils. The coils are flash heated and sent to your faucets.

If you are interested in installing a new water heater, you may want to consider installing a new kind of water heater. If you don’t, make sure you take care of the one you have with professional water heater repair and maintenance services. If you live in or around the area, you should contact Tioga Plumbing & Electric for all of your water heater repair needs.