Water Heater Maintenance, Repair and Replacement
Keep your water hot and your energy bills low
Gas and Electric Water Heaters | Tankless Water Heaters
A water heater is something that is easy to ignore—until suddenly you’re taking cold showers. And by then it’s probably too late. That's why it's important to get your water heater on a regular maintenance schedule. It will work better, use less energy and last longer.
Water heater maintenance. Water heaters often build up sediment that damages the tank. To remove these sediments, you may want to consider draining your tank.
If you spy metal or rust in your tank's water, call ARS®/Rescue Rooter® immediately. These particles probably indicate the anode rod needs to be replaced. The anode rod attracts chemicals in the water and keeps them from rusting away the tank liner.
Caution: Turn off the power at your circuit breaker or shut off the gas before making any kind of water heater inspection.
Water heater leaks. If the water heater liner corrodes, the unit can begin leaking. If the drain pan under the water heater is old or incorrectly installed, you may find your home experiences water damage to floors, ceilings or walls, depending on the water heater location. If you believe you have a water heater leak, call ARS®/Rescue Rooter® immediately. We offer 24/7 emergency service.
Save energy and money by insulating your water heater. Unless your water heater's storage tank already has a high R-value of insulation (at least R-24), adding insulation to it can reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45%. This will save you around 4%–9% in water heating costs. If you don't know your water heater tank's R-value, touch it. A tank that's warm to the touch needs additional insulation.
Insulating your storage water heater tank is fairly simple and inexpensive, and it will pay for itself in about a year. You can find pre-cut jackets or blankets available from around $10–$20. Choose one with an insulating value of at least R-8. Some utilities sell them at low prices, offer rebates, and even install them at a low or no cost.
Electric water heater Insulation. You can probably install an insulating pre-cut jacket or blanket on your electric water heater tank yourself. Read and follow the directions carefully. Leave the thermostat access panel(s) uncovered. Don't set the thermostat above 130ºF on electric water heater with an insulating jacket or blanket—the wiring may overheat.
Professional check-up. A service professional should conduct a thorough inspection of your water heater at least once a year. Our home plumbing experts will check the pressure relief valve, drain your tank to remove any sediment (if recommended), inspect the tank and connections for rust, wear or corrosion, replace worn anode rods, and more.
Do you need a new water heater? Your local ARS® / Rescue Rooter® plumbers also install new water heaters, including high-efficiency and tankless models. Learn more on how you can take advantage of federal tax credits for high-efficiency water heaters.
Contact your local ARS® / Rescue Rooter® plumbing repair specialists today to schedule your annual inspection or if you have hot water problems. We deliver fast response without sacrificing quality.