Water Heater

A broken water heater can be a major inconvenience for you and your family. Besides causing ice-cold, uncomfortable showers, a broken water heater can lead to extensive water damage.

At Gotelli Plumbing, we’re experts at repairing broken water heaters with long-lasting solutions. If your unit is in need of frequent repairs or is past its life expectancy, it might be time to replace it instead.

Luckily, we can help you determine whether a repair or replacement is more effective. Then, we’ll take care of the installation or repair process to get your hot water restored in no time.

Common Water Heater Problems

If you notice the leak coming from the bottom of the water heater, make sure it isn’t just condensation buildup. Otherwise, you may have a fracture in the tank causing the leak. Unfortunately, a leaky tank cannot be repaired – it can only be replaced.

No Hot Water

Gas-powered water heaters that aren’t generating hot water may have a blown-out pilot light or need the thermocouple replaced.

With electric water heaters, sometimes hot water will turn off when your circuit breaker has tripped. If that isn’t the case, the defective part is most likely your heating element. You will need to call a professional to replace this part correctly.

Not Enough Hot Water

If you’re running out of hot water too quickly, a quick fix would be to turn up the temperature on your tank’s thermostat (just don’t set it too high). However, this problem can also be caused by a faulty thermostat or an issue with the electrical wiring. If you have a gas heater, the problem may be a faulty dip tube.

Sometimes, your water heater may just be too small. A water heater that is too small will need to work harder and will likely have more breakdowns and a shorter lifespan. Luckily, a professional can help you determine the correct size water heater for your needs.

Rusty Water

There are rods in your water heater that are designed specifically to rust so that the main appliance is spared. These rods, called sacrificial anodes, need to be replaced on occasion. It’s important to replace these components once you notice a problem because rust can corrode your tank and cause irreparable leaks.

Smelly Water

Smelly water is caused by bacteria. Setting the temperature to 140 and then periodically flushing the tank can sometimes help, but a sulfuric or rotten egg smell might mean you need to replace the anode rod.

Strange Noises

If you’re hearing hissing, knocking, popping or other strange noises, your tank may have a buildup of scale or sediment. One easy fix is to try flushing your water heater.

When To Consider Water Heater Replacement

When it comes to water heaters, it can be dangerous and costly to keep using them past their life expectancy. The average water heater lasts 10 to 13 years, so it’s important to keep track of your system’s age.

If it’s 10-13 years old — or even older than 13 years — it might be time for a water heater replacement. You should also consider replacing your water heater if it displays these signs that it’s nearing the end of its life — even if it isn’t 10 years old yet:

• It’s in constant need of repairs.
• You are only getting cold or lukewarm water.
• There’s visible damage to the water heater tank, including rust.

Determining The Right Water Heater For You

Choosing the right model is vital if you want a long-lasting and reliable water heater that works for your home and family. If you get a water heater that is too small for your needs, its life expectancy will be considerably shorter due to the extra strain — and it will likely need frequent repairs along the way.

Not to mention, if your water heater is too small, you and your family are going to be fighting over who gets to shower first! Our technicians can evaluate your home, needs and budget to find the best water heater for you and ensure everything is done correctly.

Save Water And Time With Recirculation Pumps!

Waiting for the water to heat up in your shower or in the sink as you’re doing the dishes or waiting to get in the shower is a waste of time, water and money. A recirculation pump added to your home water heater can save you time and energy by allowing your water heater to work smarter, not harder.

A recirculation pump works by recycling the water that is sitting in pipes through the hot water heater so the warm water arrives faster.

A recirculation pump can save you money by reducing the amount of time you wait for hot water and helps conserve water by giving you access to hot water immediately rather than having to wait.

In areas like Marin and Sonoma counties where water conservation is important, a recirculation pump is an essential tool for saving water. Let your water heater live up to its fullest potential with a recirculation pump.

Call A Plumber For Your Water Heater Needs!

The quickest solution to your water heater problems is to call a professional plumbing company. At Gotelli Plumbing, we provide quick and high-quality service so you are back to comfort as quickly as possible.

We’ll make repairs whenever possible to extend the life of your heater and recommend a replacement only when it is the smartest decision for your situation. Contact us today for the best services in Marin and Sonoma Counties.