Plumbing and Water Heaters

Many of us have gotten used to having a near-endless supply of hot water for showers and baths. However, water heaters and boilers are not perfect. When issues with the water heater arise, your best bet is to call a professional plumber in Las Vegas, NV.

Water heater repair

Old water heaters can only be repaired to an extent. Depending on the cause of the problem and the wear and tear, a water heater can be restored to run almost as good as new, but you can't expect 100% performance.

Thankfully, plumbers are usually well-equipped to deal with water heater issues. They have the experience necessary to troubleshoot water heater problems and know what will work best for each one. After that, they will suggest the most cost-effective solution.

Installing new water heaters

Sometimes, an old water heater can't be fixed, and a new one will have to be installed. The latest 2015 enforcement of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) calls for more stringent regulations of new water heaters. The resulting increase in energy efficiency can have unintended consequences for homeowners and commercial heaters. The newer models of water heaters can be up to 2" taller and 2" wider than their old counterparts, owing to the increase in insulation at the same tank capacity.

Additionally, some water heaters of over 55 gallons have nearly tripled in cost. For commercial uses, you'll need to do some digging to find a water heater model that can satisfy your needs and requirements.

New technological solutions have also added more options. A tankless water heating system means that the water is heated on-demand rather than stored in the tank and kept hot. While tankless heaters need more energy to heat the water during use, they don't have the energy losses associated with storing hot water for long periods. The one drawback is that tankless water heaters might not be able to keep up with the higher flow demand of multiple showers and spas.

Since new water heaters can be larger at the same water capacity, they might not fit in the room and space where they're usually installed. A professional plumber will know where to put the water heater or suggest alternative models that will work with the existing architecture.

Diagnosing other problems

Sometimes the problem with hot water isn't caused by the water heater at all. While not having hot water in your tap might lead you to think the water heater is acting up, the source of the problem can be elsewhere.

For example, a mixing valve can be a common culprit. The valve controls the mix of hot and cold water, so if there's a lack of hot water in only one tap but not the rest, the most likely problem is with the mixing valve. Mixing tap repairs require an all-purpose plumber rather than one that focuses on water heaters. A professional plumber will know how to tell if the problem is in a water heater or another area that needs to be addressed first.

Another common source of confusion can be water leaks. Any water stains and pools near the water heater are usually associated with the heater. However, the pipes in and out of the heater or other adjacent pipes can also be the culprit. A water heater leaking input pipes might still be working correctly but might have energy losses and a lower capacity. A professional inspection of the broader system would be necessary to diagnose and repair leaking pipes.

Most modern water heaters also have separate water pressure valves. A pressure valve is a safety valve designed to cut off before the entire heater goes down the tube. High water pressure can knock these valves out and cause them to leak. While a leak might present itself as a water heater problem, the heater itself will usually work perfectly fine. Persistent high water pressure can damage water heaters, so it's important to distinguish if the problem is with the heater or elsewhere.

Rest assured that professional plumbers have the tools and expertise to take the most cost-effective approach to your water heater problems and suggest the most reasonable solutions.

Guest Contributor: Richa Khandelwal