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Are you thinking about getting a new water heater but can’t decide whether you should go tankless or not? Read this article to know about the benefits of a tankless water heater, and don’t forget to call a plumber in Arlington, TX, if you need help with the installation or water heater repair.

Why It Takes Long to Get Hot Water in the Tap

Are you tired of waiting for hot water to reach the tap? Below are the reasons why:

Distance

When the water heater tank is far from the faucet or shower, expect to wait a little longer for the hot water to reach the tap. If you don’t like to keep waiting for the hot water, consider calling a plumber to install a tankless water heater in your home. With a tankless water heater, you get hot water almost instantly. Also, you’ll never run out of hot water for your entire family. But, most importantly, you get to save more energy.

Hot Water Tank Is Failing

How long have you been using your hot water tank? Compared to tankless water heaters, they only last up to 10 years and less if you don’t properly maintain your water heater. If your heater is more than 7 to 10 years old, consider calling a plumber so they can thoroughly inspect your tank and see if you need water heater repair or a complete replacement.

When the water heater is no longer that efficient, it may not give you enough hot water. When it’s faulty, it may no longer heat your water. In that case, you’ll need to get a new one. To save energy, consider installing a tankless water heater for your home. Contact one of our plumbers for assistance.

Incorrect Size

If you have a smaller tank and there are five of you in the family, there is a chance that you may run out of hot water in your home. Before installing a water heater, ensure that you consult with a licensed plumber in Arlington, TX first, so they advise you on the size of the tank that you need to purchase. You need a bigger tank if a lot of family members will be using the water heater.

Sediment Buildup

Part of the water heater tank’s maintenance is to flush the sediment buildup at least once a year or more when there is a higher concentration of hard water minerals in your water. There is a need to flush the sediment buildup to avoid water heater repair in Arlington, TX, and save energy.

If you don’t flush out the sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank, the water heater will no longer be that efficient. It can’t quickly heat the water. Corrosion can also lead to leaks in your heater or water heater repair.

Contact a plumber if you need help with water heater maintenance and other issues with your water heater. If it’s very inconvenient to keep flushing the sediment buildup every year, then consider installing a tankless water heater for your home. That way, you won’t have to worry about water heater repair constantly.

What to Do When Your Water Heater Leaks

Call a plumber immediately for a water heater repair. Trusted plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing are experienced in helping you tackle any water heater problems.

Why is your water heater leaking? Below are the causes of leaks in your water heater tank:

Corrosion – We mentioned earlier that you need to flush out the sediment buildup in your hot water tank. Otherwise, it can cause cracking at the bottom of the tank. If you don’t want a flooded basement and want to avoid water heater repair, then make sure that you do proper water heater maintenance.

Broken drain valves – Call a plumber in Arlington, TX, if the drain valves are broken. They can cause leaks at the bottom of the tank but don’t worry as they can be easily replaced.

Broken pressure valves – these regulate the temperature inside your water heater. To avoid water heater repair, make sure that you get regular plumbing inspections so a professional can check this too.

Loose connections – Loose connections can cause water leaks. However, you can quickly resolve it by either tightening or replacing it. You can also avoid water heater repair if you make sure to only work with a licensed plumber to install your water heater.

Leaks in your water heater will be obvious as you might see puddles of water near the tank. Leaks caused by corrosion could be a plumbing emergency — which makes proper maintenance increasingly important. If you have other questions about your appliance or need water heater repair, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

What should I do when the water heater leaks?

First, don’t panic. Just stay calm and cut off the power source. It’s the first thing you should do before calling a plumber in for water heater repair.

If you have an electric water heater, go to the breaker panel and find the plug for the water heater. For a gas water heater, look for your thermostat. You can either switch it off or PILOT to shut off the gas.

As soon as you have switched off the power source, the next step is to shut off the water. The last step is to drain the water heater to avoid further damage to your basement or wherever it’s located in your home.

Do you need water heater repair? Don’t hesitate to call one of our plumbers for assistance.

Importance of Water Heater Maintenance

To avoid water heater repair, it’s essential to properly maintain your water heater. Below are the benefits you get to enjoy with regular water heater maintenance.

Saves You Money and Increases Efficiency

Sediment buildup in your water heater tank consumes a lot of energy. If you hear knocking noises coming from the tank, take it as a sign that you need to flush the buildup of minerals at the bottom. After flushing, it will be easier to produce hot water, and you can save money on your utility bills every month.

Avoids Costly Water Heater Repairs

When the water heater gets the care it deserves, it will less likely break down. If your tank is working efficiently, you won’t need to keep calling for a water heater repair.

Longer Lifespan

A water heater can last up to 10 years but less when you don’t properly maintain it. If you don’t want to keep buying water heaters every few years, then make sure that you maintain them regularly. Get a plumber to inspect at least once a year. A good plumber can thoroughly check your water heater and rule out any problem.

Should You Go Tankless?

Most homes still use the traditional water heater or the tank-type heater that stores water in the tank and keeps it hot even if no one is using it. Tankless water heaters or on-demand water heaters, on the other hand, heats the water only when someone wants to use it.

Having access to hot water without a tank sounds very convenient. But tankless water heaters have a lot more to offer.

Reduces water damage. Because there’s no water stored in your tankless water heater, that means that you won’t have to worry about flooding in your basement. Water damage can cost homeowners a fortune, especially when the homeowner’s insurance does not cover it. You can avoid this with the tankless water heater.

They are smaller. Compared to the tank-type water heater, tankless are the smaller versions. You don’t need a bigger space for it or a basement for that matter. A tankless water heater can be mounted on your bathroom wall, making it very convenient for homeowners. If you’re thinking about installing one, ensure that you only work with a licensed plumber to avoid water heater repair and other issues related to incorrect installations.

Saves money. Do you know that tankless water heaters let you save as much as 50 percent on your heating costs? That’s right — because they only heat when needed, it dramatically decreases your energy consumption. Homeowners who want to save money should consider installing tankless water heaters for their homes. Ensure that you only work with a licensed plumber in Arlington, TX, to avoid water heater repair.

They last longer. Tank-type heaters only last up to a maximum of 10 years. Tankless water heaters can last 20 years, which means you won’t have to keep buying another heater every few years or so. As a result, you can save money in the long run.

More efficient. Compared to tank-type water heaters, tankless versions are designed to be more efficient.

Is the tankless water heater right for my home?

If your family doesn’t use much hot water, we suggest installing tankless water heaters for your home. Remember, the tank-type water heaters use energy constantly as it keeps heating the water. The less water you use, the more energy you can save by installing the tankless version.

Those who prefer an endless hot water supply over a high flow rate should also consider going tankless instead. Tankless water heaters can only deliver about 2 to 5 gallons of hot water per minute, whereas the tank-type heater can deliver twice or three times more. If there are more people in your household, consider installing low-flow plumbing fixtures to save water and energy.

You may also install a tankless water heater for your home if you intend to stay there for several years. They cost more than the conventional heaters but last twice as long and deliver savings monthly. You can break even when you stay for several years in your home. If you do plan to move out, then increase the selling price of your home. Don’t worry; most home buyers these days prefer homes with energy-saving fixtures and appliances. Having a tankless water heater can significantly increase the value of your home.

Another reason you need to install a tankless water heater is when you don’t have enough space. Tank-type heaters take up much space as they can be huge. If you don’t have this space in your home, we suggest contacting a plumber today to install a tankless water heater.

Whole House vs Point-of-Use Heaters

Flexibility is one of the advantages you get when you decide to go with tankless water heaters for your home. YOu have the option to install whole-house tankless water heaters to replace the conventional version. The water is heated at a central location and dispersed through the plumbing pipes.

There is one drawback to the whole-house option: you must wait for the hot water to reach the tap. It may take longer, depending on the location of the tankless unit. And this is where the point-of-use tankless water heaters come in. You can install these smaller units in each bathroom, and they can instantly heat water. So there’s no need to wait for the hot water to reach the tap — you’ll get it instantly.

If you want to know more about the two options, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our plumbers.

Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth

Are you planning to install a tankless water heater for your home? Then talk to us! We can help you select the best tankless water heater for your home and can install both point-of-use and whole-house heaters.

If you already have one and need water heater repair, then call us right away! Our plumbers at Arlington, TX, are always available to help you any time of the day. We operate 24/7 to ensure that you get the plumbing service you deserve. Call us today for an appointment.