Water Heater Repair & Replacement in Kentwood, MI
Water heaters provide hot water for your entire house or apartment. When they’re working well, you probably don’t think much about your water heater. However, a malfunction with a water heater will leave you in the cold and in need of repair. Most residential water heaters last around 10 years for a tank model or 20 years for a tankless model. You’ll want to have a plumber check the device occasionally for any signs of disrepair.
If you don’t know how old your water heater is or if you’re worried it may be on its last legs, we can help. Our team at Birmingham Plumbing Company can examine your water heater and determine if you need a replacement or if we can repair the damage.
What Are the Signs It’s Time to Replace or Repair a Water Heater?
Some warning signs of a water heater issue are fairly obvious, while others may not be as noticeable without checking deeper. Some of the common symptoms of a water heater that needs a repair or replacement include:
- Water doesn’t get hot: If you can’t get hot water in the shower or the sink, this is a tell-tale sign that your water heater is malfunctioning and needs to be checked. You may also notice that the water doesn’t get as hot as it normally does or that it doesn’t stay hot for very long. Either of these symptoms should also lead you to contact an experienced Kentwood plumber and have them examine the tank.
- Metallic water: Tap water may not be as clean as water run through a filtration system, but it should not normally have a metallic taste or smell. If you notice that your water does not taste or smell right, this could be a sign that your water heater is beginning to corrode. You’ll want to replace it as soon as possible to avoid ingesting too much metallic water.
- Rusty water: Similar to metallic-tasting water, you’ll want to check your water heater if you notice rust in the water. Rusty water is a sign of corrosion and isn’t healthy to drink. A corroded water heater is also more likely to begin leaking than one without corrosion.
- Leaking water: If you notice any water pooling around your water heater or obvious leaks, this is likely a sign something is amiss. The water is likely coming from a fracture in the hull of the device. You’ll want to hire a Kentwood plumber expeditiously, as you risk the heater bursting and causing damage to your house.
- Strange noises: You likely won’t hear much from your water heater when it’s operating properly, but if you hear strange noises from the device, it’s likely a sign of trouble. Water heaters will make more noise when they are getting older, and it’s often an indication of a buildup of sediment in the tank. You’ll likely have to replace the tank with a new one soon.
Do I Need to Call a Plumber When Replacing a Water Heater?
While it may be tempting to try to install a water heater on your own, we don’t recommend it. If you fail to install a water heater properly, it can damage the device, your plumbing system, and your house. Installing a water heater alone may also void the warranty, depending on the model you purchase.
Installing a water heater is difficult and requires a technical understanding of the device. It is always more cost-effective in the long run to hire a professional plumber and allow them to handle any replacement or repair of your water heater rather than use a DIY method.
You should also hire a plumber to perform regular inspections of your water heater to avoid it breaking, especially if the device is getting older.
Contact Birmingham Plumbing Company in Kentwood, MI
At Birmingham Plumbing Company, our plumbers are trained to have a full understanding of water heaters and how to correctly diagnose and rectify problems with your unit. We can assist you whether you need a replacement for your old model or want to put a new unit into a housing development.
If you notice an issue with your water heater, you need to act quickly to avoid catastrophic damage to your plumbing system. Contact us today to set up an appointment and learn more about your options.
