Month: April 2017

Every homeowner dreads the day that their water heater breaks, as often there are no warning signs and it can happen at a very inopportune time. The good news is that there are actually some signs that your water heater is going to fail in the near future- if you know what to look for. Take a look below at four of those signs that can help you predict a failure and avoid unwanted damages.

• The Age of Your Water Heater: Do you know how old your water heater is? If you don’t, be sure to check the manufacturer’s sticker on the heater for the serial number. This number will tell you what date the water heater was created, but it will be written abnormally. The serial number will begin with a letter whose place in the alphabet represents the month (ie. f is the 6th letter, so it represents the 6th month, or June), plus a number to represent the year (ie. 05 for 2005). If you cannot figure your own water heater out, check the manufacturer’s website. If your water heater is approaching ten years old, consider replacing it before damages happen.
  

• Water that Appears Rusty: If you notice rusty water coming out of your faucets when they are running hot water only, this may be a sign of interior rusting on your water heater. Another cause of this is galvanized piping, so to test the true cause drain a few buckets of hot water from your water heater. If the water is still rusty by the third bucket, your water heater is most likely in danger of leaking soon.

• Noise or Rumbling:  Water heaters will build up sediment with age, and this sediment will eventually harden at the bottom of the tank. This will cause the water heater to rumble or make banging noises as it heats up because of the extra effort required to heat through the sediment. When you notice this, replace your water heater as it is now taking more wear and is also less efficient at this stage.  
  
• Water on the Floor Near the Heater: It is good practice to check around your water heater for moisture once in a while, especially if your heater is older. Moisture on the floor can mean that your water heater has a hole in it, and needs replacing as soon as possible. Be diligent when checking this as the heater can leak sporadically due to the expansion and contraction of the metal, so there may not always be water on the floor. Another thing to check before replacing is the overflow pipe and the fittings, as they could be leaking instead of the tank itself.

If you discover any of these signs in your home, call Goodsense Plumbing & Drain Cleaning today to avoid disaster and fix your water heater as soon as possible.

Out of sight, out of mind. With most water lines being underground, homeowners often do not think about them at all- until something goes wrong. The main water line brings much needed water into your home for all plumbing systems, and this line does not last forever. If you are unsure about the age, length, or location of your water line and do not wish to have any unpleasant surprises, read on for some valuable tips on when a water line may go bad.

The first thing for homeowners to realize is the importance of their main water line. Every fixture or appliance in your home that uses water will not work properly if a problem happens with this line, and serious damages can mean no running water for up to a few days. In a perfect place, a main water line can last up to 70 years or more, but often other factors prevent this long lifespan. Since it can be expensive to replace at the end of a water line’s life, the best way to predict repairs is to be proactive and schedule a drain camera inspection bi-yearly. The experts performing the inspection will be able to see early onset damages, which allows you plenty of time to prepare for repair or replacement.

It may be hard to notice damages on your water line because often damages are slow moving and occur over time. Damages can occur both from the outside and inside of the pipe, and include threats such as tree roots, shovels or machinery, rust, or sediment buildup. The best way to combat these damages is to consult with a plumbing professional about the best path to take. Not all damages lines need full replacement, but a plumber will recommend that pipes made of iron or lead be replaced as soon as possible due to the fast rusting and toxic qualities. In some cases, such as with a leak, repairs will have to be done quickly, but the line may only need a patch. Keep in mind that even this repair may require crews to dig up your lawn or break concrete, so if the pipe is nearing the end of its life it may be beneficial to replace it prematurely rather than ruin your yard twice.

Even if your water line is working properly, there may be unseen threats waiting to damage it. It’s best to be proactive and get to know your water line before damages happen. For help locating and inspecting your line, contact Goodsense Plumbing & Drain Cleaning today.