IT’S TIME FOR SPRING CLEANING

Posted on May 7, 2020 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc.

SPRING CLEANING

Spring is here and that means it’s time for Spring Cleaning! It may not be fun but it feels good when it’s done and it is necessary after a long winter in and especially with all the time most people have spent inside recently. Of course, everyone knows how to deep clean their homes but not everyone thinks of cleaning the outside. So we have a few ideas for cleaning that you may not think of and that can really add some sparkle to your home.

PRESSURE WASHING

Not everyone has a pressure washer, but you can rent one for relatively cheap and it is a great way to clean off areas that may get neglected. Here a few areas that can look much better after a good pressure washing:

Driveways
Patios and decks
The outside walls of your home

As with any tool, make sure to read the directions before use and know that not everything can be pressure washed including electrical light fixtures. Also, know that there is pressure washing and power washing. The difference is that power washing uses heat as well to really help deep clean. Power washing is good for cleaning driveways and cement walkways.

PAINTING

After a good deep cleaning with the pressure washer, nothing helps perk up the outside of your house like a new coat of paint. We know that painting the outside of your home can be a major chore, but most experts recommend repainting your home every 4-6 years depending on where you live. That may not always be feasible, but if it’s been more than 10 years you may want to consider it.

However, if repainting your home is just too big of a task right now, consider other areas that may be in need of a touch up. After pressure washing your deck, it would be a good time to sand it down and add a new coat of weather-resistant paint or stain. Also, consider your formerly white picket fence that is looking a little worse for wear. A cleaned up and freshly painted fence can really make your whole home look brighter.

LANDSCAPING

Okay, this may not officially be cleaning, but it’s close and a well-maintained yard just feels and looks nice. And we’re not just talking about mowing the lawn or whacking the weeds, either. Consider adding a water fountain or some new plants that may help to create a nice sitting area. Remember to also find plants that are suited for the climate you live in so that they have the best chance to survive. Maybe add some solar lights along a path or just place some throughout the yard. Trim those crazy long branches and make sure your hedges look good, too. All of these will help make your yard look better and really add some style and “Wow” factor to your home (see top photo for proof).

Hopefully, these outside spring cleaning ideas will help give your home a nice touch-up. Of course, we’re not suggesting you ignore the inside of your home. And while we’re at it, don’t forget about your water heater because we didn’t! We are Water Heaters Only, Inc., so it makes sense that we would mention the water heater. Spring cleaning is a good time to make sure your water heater is clean as well. Check it for dust and rust and also take a moment to check for any small leaks that may have gone unnoticed. Now is also a good time to make sure that there isn’t a bunch of stuff piled up too close to the water heater. This can affect its performance and even be a fire hazard depending on what is stored by it. A three foot clearance is a good start. For more water heater tips, check out our blog here. If you have any other questions about your water heater, don’t hesitate to give us a call 24/7/365. Happy Spring Cleaning!

Interested in learning how to flush your water heater? Click here to learn more about water heater maintenance, or give us a call at [phone-local]

Water Heater Replacement Plumbing Codes

Posted on February 5, 2020 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc.

We here at Water Heaters Only, Inc. always make sure we tell our customers that we do all of our jobs “up to code”, but we realize many people don’t always know what that means. The code we are referring to is the California Plumbing Code. If you have ever had to do any major renovation or repair on your home, you likely had to get a permit from the city and that meant you had to follow certain guidelines, or codes, for the work to be done. All incorporated cities have a building inspection and/or code compliance department. If they don’t, then that job will typically fall to the county. Either way, there are codes for just about every type of repair and renovation and that includes water heater plumbing codes.

According to the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the codes “attempt to minimize public risk by specifying technical standards of design, materials, workmanship and maintenance for plumbing systems.” Basically, these codes ensure that all repairs, replacements and installations are safe and effective, whether it’s installing a new bathroom or a water heater. Water Heaters Only makes sure that every one of our technicians are aware of all codes and any recent updates and we make sure to follow these codes as we have been doing now for over 50 years. For a full rundown of the required codes for water heater installations, visit our blog here.

Despite our knowledge of the plumbing codes, we realize that many people aren’t aware of them and so we thought it would be useful to go over some of the plumbing codes in the hopes of educating the public about how and why we go about performing our repairs and installations. However, before we go any further, it should be noted that each city and county can choose to implement these codes in different ways meaning that what is required in one city may not be required in another. It can get a little confusing, which is why it is so important to use a company that is up-to-date on all the latest codes.

CHAPTER 6: WATER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION

PRESSURE REGULATORS

While most of our California Plumbing Code (CPC) blogs will be about information in Chapter 5: Water Heaters (obviously), in this post we will be discussing water pressure and that is covered in Chapter 6, section 608. Just for starters, water pressure is measured in PSI, or pounds per square inch. Whenever we go out to any

job whether it is for a repair or an installation, we always check the PSI. This is useful because it can help determine the cause of a problem such as a leak or a water heater failure. According to CPC Section 608.2, whenever water pressure exceeds 80 PSI, a pressure regulator is required if there isn’t already one installed.

A pressure regulator does exactly what it sounds like: it regulates the water pressure in the plumbing. High water pressure can not only damage a home’s plumbing but can also damage a water heater as well. Most homes have one, but not always. If we find a home has water pressure above 80 PSI and there isn’t a pressure regulator, we will always offer to install one. And if there is one but the pressure is still high, we will check to see of the current one has failed. Not only can any water pressure above 80 PSI be detrimental to the water heater and plumbing, it will also void the warranty on most water heaters. For more information about water pressure and pressure regulators, please read our blog here.

EXPANSION TANKS

Expansion tanks are an important part of minimizing damage to your water heater and plumbing and they are required in certain situations by the CPC. Basically, an expansion tank is a metal “bottle” that is used to relieve when thermal expansion occurs. The expansion tank had a bladder inside of it and when thermal expansion occurs, the expansion can be relieved temporarily by going into the tank. When the thermal expansion has stopped, the excess water goes back into the plumbing.

a water heater heater with an expansion tank

In the above section about pressure regulators, the CPC states that an expansion tank must be installed when a pressure regulator is installed. That’s because a pressure regulator causes the water to not be able to go back to the city main and is essentially locked into what is known as a “closed loop” plumbing system. It’s a closed loop because the water and thermal expansion, when it occurs, can’t go back to the city’s main water system located outside the home. In Section 608.3, the CPC also states that expansion tank must be installed if there is a check valve, backflow preventer or “other normally closed device that prevents dissipation of building pressure back into the water main”.

PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES

Section 608.3 also mentions the use of pressure relief valves in conjunction with expansion tanks. Not only must an expansion tank be installed when part of a “closed loop system”, there must also be a combination temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve. For water heaters, these are typically located on the top of the water heater (though not always). Take a look at the picture above if you aren’t sure what the T&P looks like. These relief valves are set to relieve water and pressure after a certain PSI or temperature has been reached. These pressure relief valves need to also have a discharge pipe (Section 608.5), which has its own requirements such as:

The discharge pipe should discharge independently by gravity either into the drainage system or to the exterior of the building.
It must discharge in such a way that does not cause bodily harm or structural damage.
It cannot discharge into a water heater pan.

This is why you will typically see the T&P valve connected to a pipe that runs either alongside the wall to the outside or through the wall where it will be allowed to discharge in a safe place where no one may get hurt.

In conclusion, we hope this has been helpful information. One final note: As we mentioned in the beginning of this blog, each city may decide to implement the plumbing codes differently dependent on the situation. For example, in some areas the city inspector won’t require an expansion tank to be installed as long as there is a working T&P valve present. Also, an inspector may allow a T&P drain line to just discharge to the floor if the water heater is located in the garage. That’s why it’s so important to hire a company that knows the latest codes. For any further questions about water heater plumbing codes or to schedule an appointment with one of our water heater experts, just give us a call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 833-379-8800.

California Water Heaters And Earthquakes

Posted on July 8, 2019 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc.

Is Your California Water Heater Safe from Earthquakes

Earthquake strapping a water heater is critical in California, where earthquakes are a regular occurrence. From Los Angeles and San Diego, to San Francisco and Sacramento, earthquake damage in homes and businesses can happen without warning, and most of us don’t think about our water heater’s safety before an earthquake.

In California, the law requires that your gas or electric water heater must be properly attached to a wall, so that it will not fall or tilt to mush during an earthquake event and lead to a fire or a flood of your home. All homes, multi-family properties, offices, apartments and public buildings are required to have their water heater strapped securely.

In the first water heater photo, the water heater is NOT properly strapped and in the event of an earthquake will freely move / shake from side to side.

However in the second water heater photo, this water heater, on the other hand, is properly strapped. As you can see, it will have little, to no side-to-side movement in the event of an earthquake. It will also not fall off it’s platform.

After an earthquake the water heater also holds available cooking and drinking water in the event of an extended power outage. The new laws regarding strapping help to keep the tanks in place and strapping types and attachment hardware rules have been upgraded for safety since the Loma Prieta quake of 1989 and the Northridge earthquake of 1994.

If your water heater is older, you will want to have it inspected by a professional water heater installer to ensure that you have the current and safe strapping that is necessary. The correct connectors and lines can be installed and strapping and wall attachments can be upgraded.

Things To Know About Water Heater Strapping

30, 40 & 50 gallon water heaters require 2 straps
75 & 80 gallon water heaters require 3 straps
100 gallon water heaters require 4 straps
Strapping must be placed properly- the top 1/3 and the lower 1/3 of the water heater must be strapped to prevent rocking and tipping.

If you would like to inspect your water heater earthquake strapping yourself and find out if it is current to California law, earthquakecountry.org offers some good tips for proper attachment. https://www.earthquakecountry.org/step1/waterheater/

Water Heaters Only, Inc. has installed thousands of water heaters to California earthquake code standards, and we are happy to help you secure your water heater, for the safety of your family and your neighborhood.

After a quake, you want to check your water heater strapping, and be assured that there is no gas lines leaking that can start a devastating fire and burn your home, as well as checking that the water heater has not fallen over and leaking water lines have flooded your home, resulting in costly repairs. With proper earthquake strapping, your home will be much less likely to be devastated by an unfortunate water heater issue due to earthquake tilting.

These are 2 large commercial water heaters in a basement. One is strapped, but not properly and the other one is not strapped at all. This is a disaster waiting to happen, at least the tank with straps is less likely to cause a major gas leak, than the one with no straps.

Are you wondering if your water heater is up to code? Give us a call at [phone-local] and a trained technician will come out to your home and properly assess your water heater, and bring it up to code.

AO Smith Water Heater Recall

Posted on January 31, 2019 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc. | 13 Comments

AO Smith Water Heater Recall Resources

AO Smith Recall Website

Official A.O. Smith Recall Notice

On Nov. 8th, 2018, A.O. Smith announced it had recalled over 600,000 Ultra Low-Nox water heaters due to fire hazard. The fire hazard is due to the burner screen, which can develop tears in it. That can cause the burner to radiate excess heat and that could become a fire hazard for water heaters that are installed directly on floors made of wood or other combustible material.

According to the manufacturer, there have been six reports of fires, though no injuries have been reported. The size capacity of the water heaters being recalled are 30, 40 and 50 gallon models that run on natural gas or propane. They were manufactured between April 2011 and August 2016. An easy way to find out if your water heater is affected is to locate the serial number on the rating plate of your water.

How to locate the rating plate

Each rating plate can look a little different. Above is a sample of an A.O. Smith (top) and a Bradford White (bottom) rating plate (Bradford White Water Heaters ARE NOT Recalled).

For the A.O. Smith name brand units, the first four digits in the serial number represent the month and date. For example: a serial number starting with 1115, represents the 15th (April) week of 2011. The digits 1631 would represent the 31st week of 2016 (August). It can get very confusing, but if your serial number’s first four digits fall between those numbers, your water heater may be affected.

If you need help figuring out if your water heater is affected by the recall, go to the A.O. Smith recall website www.waterheaterrecall.com and put in your serial number. This will tell you if your water heater is part of the recall. All brand names manufactured by A.O. Smith are affected. So, it’s not only the serial number that you should be aware of you also want to make sure the brand you have is not part of the recall. See the list below for other brand names affected.

The brand names affected can include:

American
Whirlpool
Kenmore
Reliance
State
U.S. Craftsmaster

What to you do if your water heater has been recalled?

Turn off the water heater
Contact A.O. Smith
Work with A.O. Smith to determine if your unit is affected
Schedule a free A.O. Smith recall repair if your unit is affected

A.O. Smith recommends shutting the water heater down immediately by turning the water and gas off to the water heater. Please be aware that a short time after you turn the water heater off, you will not have any hot water. If you need assistance in shutting the water heater down give us a call at 833-379-8800 or follow our emergency shutdown instructions – click here. One of our water heater experts will be happy to help you. Once you have shut the water heater down, contact A.O. Smith. The company states that the issue can be resolved with a repair.

Water Heaters Only, Inc. does not repair the A. O. Smith recalled water heaters – please contact A.O. Smith directly. However, we are happy to help in locating the rating plate and deciphering the serial number of the water heater. For older units that are affected by this recall we can provide a replacement estimate and come out to replace the water heater, if that is preferred. However, we would not be installing another A.O. Smith brand water heater.

If your A.O. Smith water heater is still under warranty, we recommend dealing with A.O. Smith directly. We can not replace any A.O. Smith recalled water heaters under a warranty situation.

Water Heaters Only, Inc is and has been committed to water heater safety for [biz-years] years. You can always email or call us with any questions. We are happy to answer questions, help decipher serial numbers and guide you through the process of having a safe water heater operating in your home.

Water Heater Habits

Posted on March 7, 2017 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc. | 11 Comments

7 Habits of Highly Successful Water Heater Owners

Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Have you thought much about your water heater lately? Most people do not think much about their water heater until they have a problem. Typically the first thing that is noticed is a lack of hot water, and then the investigating begins. Here are 7 tips that can help you become a successful water heater owner and keep you one step ahead so you do not end up spending valuable time dealing with a broken water heater. The benefit of being a successful water heater owner is longer tank life expectancy, lower energy bills, and the potential for little or no damage to occur as a result of water leakage. Also, being prepared with information will make the entire process easier when your tank needs to be repaired or replaced.

1. Know where your water heater is located and have clear access to reach it. This may sound simple, but sometimes it’s tucked away in an attic or basement and not easy to reach and after many years since a water heater is not something people often think about it can be forgotten – until there is no hot water.

2. Know what type of water heater you have, ie. natural gas, electric, propane or solar. Also knowing whether you have a storage tank type (hint: this is the most common type) or a tankless type water heater is helpful. Write down the model number and serial number of your water heater or at least know where this information is on the tank, it has the age and gallon capacity coded into it and is important for warranty purposes.

3. Know how to turn off the fuel or power supply to your water heater, once you know which type of unit you have, make sure you know how to turn off the gas or electricity to the unit. There should be a gas valve or a disconnect switch within a few feet of the water heater. It’s also a good idea to know where your main gas shut off valve is or which breaker is for the water heater in case the shut off near the water heater doesn’t work. If you need any special tools to turn the valves off or to open the break box keep those nearby and in clear sight. When you have water leaking all over it’s easy to panic, especially if it’s causing damage. Doing a little upfront work so you are prepared will make a big difference in this situation.

Insulation on the hot and cold lines of a newly installed water heater.

4. Know where the water shut off valve to the water heater is. Again, if you need special tools to turn the valve off have them nearby along with a stepladder in case the valve is above the water heater and you need to turn the water off quickly. Most shut off valves are located above the water heater on the cold side piping. See our blog post – How to turn off a leaking water if your not sure where your valve is.

5. Make sure the area around your water heater is clear and do not store anything with a few feet of your unit. This is a successful habit for a few reasons. First, if you have a gas fired (natural gas or propane) unit the water heater needs to “breath”. As the burner fires it need oxygen to burn the gas. When a water heater is smothered or does not have enough oxygen it can affect the efficiency of the unit, cause damage to the burner chamber and other water heater parts and even cause carbon monoxide leaks. Second, whether it is gas or electric if the unit starts to leak the water can be hidden from view or soak into what is being stored around it. This can cause a prolonged leak, which has the potential to cause more water damage and cause to water heater to reheat itself more often, wasting energy. Lastly, it is a fire hazard.

A happy water heater installation technician draining a water heater.

6. Drain or flush your water heater and complete an annual inspection. Maintaining your water heater is a very successful habit. It can affect life expectancy, energy efficiency and the safety of the unit over its lifetime. Once a year (maybe more often if there is a lot of sediment in your water) drain a few gallons out of the drain valve of your water heater. Use either a 5-gallon bucket or a garden hose and run it to a place where the hot water will not cause damage (do not drain it to your landscaping or lawn, hot water may kill the grass). If you notice a lot of sediment or debris then we recommend a full flush. This is where you empty the tank completely of water, then turn the water back on while the drain is open and let the water flow for a minute or so to help remove any lingering sediment or debris. For instructions on how to drain a water heater click here. If you are water wise you can turn your thermostat to vacation and let the water cool down – then it can be used for watering and will not damage your plants. It is best to turn the unit to vacation in the morning, say before going to work. Then drain the tank when you come home, once it has refilled turn the thermostat back to the desired setting and you should have hot water in approximately 1 hour. While you are draining or flushing the tank inspect the water heater. Start with the top and check for any leaks or heavy corrosion on the water pipes and the T/P overflow valve. For gas water heaters check that the draft hood is in place and make sure it is placed properly with a few inches of air space between the tank and where the draft hood connects to the vent. Once you have visually inspected the top check around the tank, for electric water heaters look for any signs of leaking, rust streaks or residue around or coming from the upper and/or lower panels covering the electrical components on the tank. If you have a gas water heater inspect the gas line and gas parts look for any corrosion or wear on the piping. Check the thermostat for corrosion or black soot marks. Inspect the area below the gas thermostat where the gas chamber is. If you noticed any back residue, soot or charred metal, this is a sign you may be having combustion issues and you should have the unit serviced by a professional. If you ever smell gas turn off the gas supply and contact a professional. Your visual inspection is complete if everything looks like it is in good shape your done, if you have concerns or think there are items that need service contact your local Water Heaters Only, Inc

7. Keep a Water Heaters Only, Inc emergency shut down sticker on your water heater. When you have problems with your unit, the sticker can help walk you through shutting of the gas and water and it has our 24-hour emergency phone number so you can give us a call if you are not sure what to do next or if you are having a problem with turning anything off. If you need a Water Heaters Only, Inc shut down sticker – email help@waterheatersonly.com and we are happy to mail one to you.

Have questions about maintaining your water heater? Give us a call 24/7 at [phone-local]

By John Heaters Google+ | Facebook

Water Heater Fire Safety Tips

Posted on August 20, 2015 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc.

TOP 5 WATER HEATER FIRE SAFETY TIPS DO’S AND DONT’S

As the California Wildfire Season continues to rage, it was just announced by Cal Fire that the Rocky Fire, which was located in Lake County near Clear Lake in Northern California, was caused by a faulty water heater. The Rocky Fire began on July 29^th and burned nearly 70,000 acres over a two-week period and it destroyed 43 homes and caused hundreds of residents to evacuate.

Evidently, the water heater was located in an outside structure and was surrounded by flammable liquids, which helped cause the fire to really get moving and growing. Read our top 5 water heater fire safety tips and use the best practices to limit possible fire damage caused by your water heater.

California Fire Department on the scene.

Though it may seem unusual that the fire was caused by a faulty water heater, the fact is that hundreds of homes fires have been caused by water heaters in one way or another. According to the National Fire Protection Association, during the 4-year span between 2007 and 2011, water heaters were responsible for 11 percent of fires started by home heating devices. Now, let’s be clear, this doesn’t mean that water heaters are inherently dangerous or some sort of ticking time bomb waiting to catch fire. These facts just remind us that improper use and neglect of your water heater could lead to problems down the road. So, we here at Water Heaters Only, Inc. thought this would be a good opportunity to share some helpful tips that could make all the difference when it comes to keeping you and your family safe from fire danger.

GET YOUR WATER HEATER CHECKED ANNUALLY Most people don’t think about their water heater until they have to, meaning until it stops working or they discover a leak. But it pays to have a professional come over to your home once a year and make sure there are no problems with your water heater and check for any potential problems that might occur in the near future. During this check, something like a small gas leak may be discovered and corrected before it becomes a major fire hazard.
KEEP FLAMMABLE MATERIALS AWAY FROM YOUR WATER HEATER – This cannot be stressed enough, especially in light of the fact that it was reported that the Rocky Fire was caused, in part, by flammable liquids that were kept near the water heater. These were ignited, thus helping to create this huge fire. So, make sure that flammable materials such as oily rags and even paint and gas cans are kept far away from your water heater.
KNOW HOW TO SHUT YOUR WATER HEATER OFF – This is helpful for so many reasons, but it is especially helpful in regards to fire danger and prevention. That’s because if you happen to smell gas or discover a gas leak in your water heater, you will want to get the gas shut off as soon as possible. For complete instructions, go to our main website to watch a very informative video and to get detailed instructions for shutting down your water heater. Just click here. (Insert link here https://waterheatersonly.com/emergency-shutdown-instructions
MAKE SURE THE AREA AROUND YOUR WATER HEATER IS CLEAR FROM DEBRIS – This point is connected to the previous point about flammable materials being stored next to the water heater. In general, the water heater needs “breathing room” so that there is plenty of ventilation available for the pilot assembly to burn properly. If the air flow is cut off by debris and clutter stacked around the water heater, this could cause the heater to not work properly and that could become a fire hazard.
MAKE SURE THE AREA IS ALSO WELL VENTILATED, ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE FLAMMABLE MATERIALS – Since many water heaters are located in the garage, there is a greater likelihood that the homeowner may use a flammable material in the vicinity at some point. This could be as a result of painting or using varnish or even filling your lawn mower with gas (we recommend you do all of these activities in a different area than your water heater. No matter what the situation, you always want to make sure that the area is well-ventilated so that there is no danger of the fumes combusting and causing a fire.

We hope these water heater fire safety tips has been informative and helped raise awareness about the potential fire hazards that can be avoided with some common sense, preventative measures. If you have any other questions, you can always call us at 833-379-8800 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and talk to one of our water heater experts. You can even arrange to have one of our technicians come out and inspect your water heater for you. And, of course, for more information about water heater safety and water heaters in general, you can always check out our FAQ’s.

By John Heaters Google + |Facebook

Turn Off The Gas Supply To The Water Heater

Posted on June 5, 2013 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc. | 6 Comments

How Do I Turn Off The Gas Supply To The Water Heater

the gas shut off valve to a water heater

How do I turn off the gas supply to the water heater? This is one question we are frequently asked by our customers. It is a great question and one that every homeowner should be educated in, just in case problems arise with their water heater.

You might smell gas coming from your water heater, it might not be performing as usual or it the water heater may be leaking and it would be a good idea to know how to turn off the gas.

The gas can be turned off from the outside gas meter, which shuts off all gas to the house or at the water heater itself, which just turns off the gas supply to the water heater. Knowing how to shut off the gas from both places can really come in handy.

To turn off the gas supply to the water heater:

All appliances that require water or gas have a separate shut of valve usually within a few feet of the appliance. To find a water heaters’ gas shut off valve look for a single handle valve that would usually be located at the bottom of the unit about a foot or two out. The valve will look similar to the one in the image below.

the anatomy of the gas line on a water heater.

Turn this valve in the clockwise position to turn the gas off. If you can’t get the gas valve to turn, can’t find the gas valve, or if there are any other problems, there is a second option which is to turn the gas off to the whole house.

To turn off the gas supply to the whole house:

Finding the gas meter shut off valve can sounds daunting, but it can actually be pretty simple. The gas meter shut off is located right next to the gas meter that is found on the exterior of the house as shown below. The gas valve is on when it is parallel to the incoming gas line. When the valve is turned a quarter turn so that it is perpendicular, then the gas line is closed and the flow of gas is off. Typically, this valve can only be opened and closed with a wrench. In case of emergency or if you smell gas, exit the home and contact your gas provider.

If you are concerned about how to turn off the gas supply to the water heater or any of the signs above you can call and speak with a water heater expert 24 hours a day 833-379-8800 or check our FAQ’s to read more about common water heater problems.

By John Heaters Google + | Facebook

Water Heater Failure

Posted on January 21, 2013 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc.

Signs of water heater failure

What signs can alert you before water heater failure

Most often homeowners aren’t aware that a water heater failure is about to happen. Have you come home to water running from under the garage or a soppy carpet? While you can’t be for sure when your water heater failure will occur, there are signs that you can keep an eye out for.

One of the most important things is to know the age of your water heater. You can find the age of your water heater by looking at the manufacturer sticker on the upper portion of the water heater. It will have the brand name and many different numbers and small symbols. Try to find the serial number or manufacturer date.

This date will not be exactly when your water heater was installed, but it will tell you how old the tank is. The serial number will have a date code for example “F051052638”. F is for the month – F is the sixth letter so it represents the sixth month, June. Next the first two digits of the serial number are 05, this represents the year, 2005. A water heater with the serial number F05052638 was made in June 2005. Each manufacturer has a similar “code date” for their product, some are easier than others to figure out, if you can not figure out the age of your water check the manufacturers website for the way to crack their “code”. Once you know the when you water heater was manufactured you can keep track of how old it. As a rule of thumb most water heaters over 10 years old have lived a useful life can be replaced. If your water heater is in a location that WILL NOT cause damage if leakage occurs, you can wait until it develops a leak before replacing it. However, if your water heater is in a location that WILL cause damage to your home, replace it after 10 years or before if any of the following symptoms occur.

Rusty Water

Rusty water that comes from only the hot side piping in your home can be a sign that your water heater is rusting away from the inside out and will begin to leak in the near future. If you have galvanized piping you may also have rusty pipes. A good test to ensure you are not replacing a functioning water heater, is to drain the few five gallon buckets of hot water out of the water heater. If by the third bucket the water from your water heater is still coming out rusty then most likely it is not the hot water piping, but the water heater. This is a sign that your water heater needs to be replaced.

Rumbling and Noise

As a water heater ages sediment will build up on the bottom of the tank. Overtime the sediment is heated and reheated and as more sediment accumulates it hardens. When this happens you can often hear rumbling or banging sounds coming from the water heater when it is heating up. This is a sign that the water heater it at the end of it’s useful life. First the water heater will have to use more energy (gas or electricity) to heat the water and will be less efficient. Second the extra time spent heating the water will cause more wear on the metal tank and lead to more brittle metal that can crack and develop tiny holes quicker. If you start to heard rumbling from your water heater, keep an eye out for any small leaks, then replace your water heater.

Moisture Around Water Heater

If you notice moisture around your water, you may have a small leak or a fracture in the tank that releases water when the water heater is heating up. As the metal heats it expands, if there are slight fractures sometimes water will leak from the tank. Once the metal has cooled the inner tank will stop leaking. Make sure there are no other leaks coming from the water heater. Check the fittings and connections to the tank. Also make sure the t/p temperature / pressure overflow pipe is not leaking and causing the moisture. If everything all other connections and fittings are dry and the water heater is an older model, it may be time to replace the water heater. You can always look inside the bottom of the water heater and try to see if the inner tank is dripping. It is not always easy to see inside the bottom of the tank, but it’s worth a try before replacing the tank.

If you are concerned about water heater failure or any of the signs above you can call and speak with a water heater expert 24 hours a day 833-379-8800 or check our FAQ’s to read more about common water heater problems.

By John Heaters Google+ | Facebook

Water Heater Tips

Posted on December 12, 2012 | by Water Heaters Only, Inc.

Water Heater Tips

Winter Water Heater Tips, Tricks & Solutions

Are you not getting enough hot water from your water heater?

Have you noticed that recently your water isn’t as hot as it used to be?

Maybe it’s time to turn up the temperature on your water heater. It is common when winter comes along to start to run out of hot water or notice you don’t have as muchhot water as you used to.

When the ground temperature changes and gets colder the incoming cold water temperature also gets colder and most water heaters have to work a little harder to heat up your water. Once the water is hot and you start to use it, the cold water coming into the tank mixes with the hot water and your hot water cools down. This is especially true when you have an older water heater that has sediment build up. The sediment will leech the heat out of the water quickly. Most people also enjoy a longer hot shower in the winter months, due to the colder temperatures. There is a simple answer when you want hotter water during the winter months. Check where the thermostat on your water heater is set and turn up the temperature.

For gas water heaters the thermostat is the small box sticking out of the front of the water heater, you will notice there is a red dial and maybe a button or two. You will notice a notch and then “A” “B” and “C” settings. If your water heater is set to the recommended 120 degree setting (small white notch on the front dial), you can turn the temperature up slightly to 125 or 130 and you should notice a big difference – just beware of hot water scalding, especially if there are children or seniors in the home who skin is more sensitive and easy to burn. Run a test about 1/2 hour later and see if your water is hotter. Once you have tested the water temperature and you are satisfied you can enjoy hot water all winter long. Try to set a reminder to turn the temperature down again in the spring or like our Facebook page and we will remind you when spring comes along, you’ll get our valuable water heater tips and tricks all year long!.

For electric water heaters you will have to remove the small top panel with a screwdriver and then turn the temperature dial inside the panel up. Be careful working on the inside of the water heater when the power is on, we recommend you refer to your owners manual for instructions and diagrams. Please contact us at [phone-local] if you have any questions about increasing the temperature off your water heater and enjoy our upcoming winter water heater tips in our monthly blog!