DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Water Heater Repair’

Is It Time for Water Heater Repairs?

Monday, January 18th, 2016

There are a number of different water heaters that homeowners may choose from to use in their homes these days. Not only is there a great selection of systems to consider, but modern water heaters are also more effective and reliable than ever before. This is not to imply that they are perfect, though: no mechanical system is. Eventually, you are going to find yourself in need of water heater repairs in Bolingbrook, IL. When you do, make sure that it is our number that you dial. By scheduling your water heater repairs with the pros on our staff, you guarantee that your appliance will be back on track in no time. Contact DuAll Heating & Cooling with any concerns that you may have.

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Common Water Heater Repair Issues

Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

The job that a water heater does on a daily basis is easy to take for granted. Today we think of running hot water much the same way that we think about electricity: always there when we need it, with only a single hand motion.

And then suddenly…it’s not. Just as blown fuses or a power outage can deny you electrical power, so can a failed water heater take away the warmth you require to shower, clean, and cook. You need to make certain that your water heater receives regular maintenance and the necessary repairs that will keep it working. When you need fast water heater services in Bolingbrook, IL, call DuAll Heating & Cooling. We have emergency service available.

Some Common Water Heater Repair Needs We See:

  • Rusted-through anode rod: Have you ever wondered why your water heater doesn’t rust even though it contains water in contact with metal? It’s because of a small device called the anode rod (also the “sacrificial rod”) at the top of the water tank. This rod is designed to rust in place of the water tank, attracting oxidation to it and away from the metal of the tank. However, if the rod rusts completely, then rust can enter the heater and damage it. At the first sign of corrosion, call for repairs. Make sure that you have annual maintenance to catch when the anode rod needs replacement.
  • Excess sediment in the tank: Over time, sediment—any particle that doesn’t dissolve in water—will start to gather at the bottom of the heater’s tank. This can include any number of impurities that might enter the municipal water system: sand, grit, calcites, magnesium. Sediment at the bottom of the tank can block valves and lead to overheating inside the tank. Professionals can flush out the system to remove sediment. (They do this during regular maintenance, yet another reason to schedule it every year.)
  • Failed burner/heating elements: If you have a gas-powered water heater, a failed pilot light or dirt along the burner that prevents the jets from coming on will result in a drop in heating power, and possibly cut off all hot water entirely. For an electric-powered water heater, the heating elements inside the tank can fail and cause a drop in the water temperature. A professional will need to replace the broken elements.

When you call a professional HVAC service to help repair your water heater in Bolingbrook, IL, you’ll find out just what the problem is and what steps the technician needs to take to fix it. In some cases, the technician may advise you replace the older heater with a new one.

Call DuAll Heating & Cooling for an honest and accurate assessment of the problems with your water heater.

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Why Should I Flush Out My Water Heater?

Friday, February 28th, 2014

Running hot water is one of the greatest home conveniences ever invented (after indoor plumbing, of course, which was the first step toward running hot water). But your supply of cleansing hot water depends on the steady operation of your home’s hot water heater, and like any mechanical system, it can sometimes develop faults or even shut down.

Flushing the tank of a hot water heater is an important step in maintaining the system and keeping it healthy so you always have hot water ready for you. Flushing is done to remove sediment that can begin to develop at the bottom of the heater’s tank. This task can be done as part of annual routine maintenance, or performed when a specific problem has started to threaten the water heater’s operation.

Whether you need flushing for maintenance or water heater repair in Plainfield, IL, you should have professionals take care of this job. Contact DuAll Heating & Cooling for water heater flushing or any other problems with your system.

Why Flushing The Water Heater is Beneficial

Sediment build-up inside a water heater tank can cause a number of problems that will lead to repair needs—or even a full replacement. The sediment will often prevent the drain valve from working, and this will cause the system to run inefficiently, draining power while providing substandard heat.

The sediment that develops in your tank often comes from impurities inside the water, such as the minerals found in hard water. When these minerals begin to gather inside the tank, they can cause the water to become discolored and promote the development of rust inside the tank. Flushing will not only eliminate short-term problems with sediment, but it will help prolong the system’s life.

As the sediment level increases, the available volume for the water in the tank will decrease. When this happens, the tank will start to overheat and increase the water pressure throughout the system, a frequent cause of leaks.

Take Care of All Your Water Heater’s Needs

Flushing out a water heater is only one of the ways to help your system have a longer service life with fewer repairs. Our staff at DuAll Heating & Cooling has the training, equipment, and experience to perform any of the work you need to repair a malfunctioning water heater. We also offer regular maintenance, one of the best ways to keep away the need for water heater repair in Plainfield, IL. Call us today and trust our NATE-certified technicians to handle the job.

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Water Heater Problems Caused by Hard Water

Friday, January 31st, 2014

Hard water. You’ve probably heard the term before, but may not have known its exact definition. Basically, hard water is water with a high mineral content. The most common minerals found in hard water are calcite, gypsum (which both contain calcium), and dolomite (a magnesium mineral). Hard water does not pose any serious health risks to drink; but it does pose serious health risks to your plumbing and any appliance hooked to it, like your water heater.

Your water heater in Plainfield, IL, can suffer damage from hard water that can require repairs or perhaps even a replacement. We’ll look at some of the problems hard water can cause. When you encounter malfunctions with your water heater—no matter the cause—call DuAll Heating & Cooling right away. We have emergency services available for when those hot water failures come at the worst time.

Hard Water and Your Water Heater

When hard water is raised to a high temperature, as occurs inside the tank of a water heater, it releases its minerals, which then develop along surfaces as limescale. Hard water entering a water heater’s tank will soon start to lay down a layer of limescale along the tank’s interior. Limescale works as an insulator, and this means it will unbalance the heat levels inside the tank, restricting heat from escaping and leading to overheating. An overheated tank will begin to spring leaks and may even rupture.

Another place where hard water can cause trouble for a water heater is when it causes a build-up of calcites on the surface of the heat exchanger of a gas-powered unit. These calcites will block the movement of heat from the combustion gas to the water in the tank, which will severely limit the ability to warm up the water, leading to a loss of hot water around the house.

Finally, the calcite deposits will start to develop inside the pipes leading from the hot water heater (indeed, it will affect pipes of all kinds around the house). The more the calcite deposits grow, the higher the pressure inside the pipes as the available room shrinks. This will lead to leaking at pipe connections that will continue to grow worse unless the issue is addressed.

Make Sure Your Water Heater is Regularly Maintained

There are a number of ways to deal with hard water, but here we are specifically concerned with the damage done to your water heater. Regular water heater maintenance is the best way to discover if calcite deposits or limescale are causing damage to your heater, and technicians can eliminate the problem by removing the build-up, or if necessary, replacing the heat exchanger. Technicians will also take care of leaks before they cause damage.

At DuAll Heating & Cooling, we’ll make it our priority to provide you with the best water heater service in the Plainfield area.

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