If you’ve enjoyed a hot shower recently, then you have your home water heater to thank. A water heater is an essential appliance found in homes all across the country that enables you to have hot water whenever you need it. But like any appliance, problems may occur and your water heater can break down. In these moments, it’s critical that you know who to call for a water heater repair. Your next hot shower depends on it. In this blog, we’re taking a closer look at water heaters, including how they work, common problems, and who to call when an issue arises with your water heater.

Safe Gas Services is your choice for a full range of heating services, including water heat repair and installation. Additionally, we also specialize in gas services, plumbing services, retrofitting services for both residential and commercial properties, and even earthquake valve installations to protect your home from a seismic event. Our team of friendly, certified technicians have the tools and experience to safely assess your gas, plumbing, and heating needs. We can also handle the installation or repair of your systems to ensure safety and compliance with all local regulations.

Allow our team of trusted and experienced technicians to take care of all your gas, heating, plumbing and retrofitting needs to keep your space both safe and functional. When you call on Safe Gas Services, you can rest easy knowing the job was done right.

How Does a Water Heater Work?

A water heater is an essential appliance in most homes. But like most homeowners, you’ve probably never spent much time thinking about how this appliance works—that is, until it breaks. But by better understanding the ins and outs of this appliance, you can be better prepared for when something does occur. So, let’s take a closer look at how a hot water heater actually works.

Your water heater is made up of several components. These include the tank, dip tube, heating element (like a gas burner), thermostat, anode rod, and a series of valves. Working together in cohesion, these pieces allow you to have hot water at the turn of a knob. But how exactly do they all work together?

Whether you have a gas water heater or an electric water heater, the process is pretty much the same. The only main difference is the source of heat. The journey begins at your main water line. Water travels through the main line into your home. Just before the water reaches your water heater, the line splits into two paths, forming your water intake system so that you can have hot or cold water.

When you turn on your hot water tap, cold water passes the shut-off valve and then travels through the dip tube. This is where water enters the heater tank. From there, the heating mechanism in the tank heats up the water according to the setting on the thermostat. Water entering the tank is displaced to the bottom and hot water then rises to the top. Water continues to enter the tank through the dip tube as you turn the water tap. Hot water at the top of the tank is displaced as more cold water enters the bottom of the tank. This pressurized water then travels up through the heat-out pipe and goes all the way to your hot water tap.

And with that, you have access to hot water.

Tankless Water Heaters

While water heaters with a tank are the most common type of this appliance, tankless water heaters are quickly growing in popularity. Essentially, the big difference here is that instead of storing hot water in a tank, these tankless water heaters only heat water when it’s needed. With this option, the process works a bit differently.

When you turn on your hot water tap with a tankless water heater, a flow sensor in the water heater activates. If you have a gas water heater, the sensor activates a fan inside the unit, which draws in air, opens the gas valve, and then ignites the burner. With an electric version, the sensor activates an electric heating unit.

Inside the tankless water heater, the heat exchanger is warmed, which then heats the water to the temperature set by the thermometer. The water then passes through the unit to the water tap. This type of water heater can be advantageous as it skips the need to store a tank full of hot water, which can save you on energy costs.

Additionally, tankless water heaters also reduce the risks of gas and other leaks, which can make them more efficient and safer. You’re also not constrained by the supply of water as you can’t run out of hot water since there is no tank to run down. Tankless water heaters also tend to last longer. However, these advantages aren’t free. Generally, tankless water heaters are going to be more expensive than your conventional water heater.

What are Common Problems with Water Heaters?

Generally, there are three common problems with water heaters:

1. Water temperature issues: if the water is too cold, barely warm, or too hot, it could be an issue with the thermometer, power source, or the size of the water heater.
2. Leaks: this problem can be caused by a variety of issues, including the water pressure, a stuck valve, a bad gasket, or the tank itself.
3. Discolored water: water that has a rust color could indicate that there’s corrosion within your tank.

Who to Call for a Water Heater Repair

If you’re experiencing a problem with your hot water heater, it’s not recommended that you attempt to fix it yourself. A water heater is a complex appliance, and unless you have experience working with one, attempting to repair it yourself could just make the problem worse, or cause damage to your home or body. That’s why it’s always recommended to call on a team of heating and gas experts.

At Safe Gas Services, we have the experience and resources to quickly identify the source of the problem with your water heater. A thorough diagnosis is an essential first step in a successful water heater repair. Once we’ve identified the problem, we’ll work quickly to resolve the issue so that you have access to hot water again as soon as possible. We’ll also inspect the entirety of your heating system to ensure everything is working as it should.

Conclusion – Who to Call for a Water Heater Repair

With the turn of a knob, our homes and offices have instant access to hot water. But this is a luxury most of us take for granted and we don’t really think about how hot water enters our homes until something goes wrong. Your water heater is an essential appliance in your home or commercial space to ensure running hot water is available when you need it. When something does go wrong with your water heater, make sure you call on a team of professionals who can identify the specific problem and find a quick and efficient solution.

If there’s a problem with your water heater, call on Safe Gas Services. We proudly offer our clients superior service that you won’t receive elsewhere. Our friendly and experienced staff won’t just fix the problem at hand, but we will also thoroughly inspect your entire heating system to ensure it’s functioning properly. With years of experience and unmatched resources, we have what it takes to protect your property and family.

Contact us today to schedule a free inspection to determine the best path for protecting your home or property.