Author Archives: weilhammerplumbing

FVIR Gas Water Heaters and What You Need to Know About Them

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Water Heater Repair and Service 317-784-1870

Water Heater Repair and Service 317-784-1870

There’s a new type of water heater on the market, and you need to know what people are saying about them before deciding to buy one for yourself. They are the new FVIR gas water heaters; where “FVIR” stands for Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant. There’s several reviews from customers that have purchased these very units; countless reviews exposing the good, the bad, and the horrifying consequences of their purchase decision.

Continue reading to learn more about FVIR gas water heaters, the warnings that come with them, and real-life customer reviews.

Product and Service Information

FVIR technology is meant to make certain appliances (in this case, water heaters) fire resistant. In fact, 11 years ago all water heaters models were re-designed to have this FVIR capability. Water heater prices have exceeded many customer budgets since then, even though many are not reliable units. When shopping for a new water heater, it is strongly encouraged to choose a make and mode that rarely needs repairs, has parts that are easy to find, and is simple to maintenance.

Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, shares his opinion on a few of the most popular gas water heaters on the market today:

Bradford White

Grade = A+
Rating = Trouble-Free, Common-Sense Design, Reliable, Easy to Service

Rheem Hot Water Heaters

Grade = A++
Rating = Safe, Long-Lasting, Reliable System, Easy to Use, and Simple to Service

Richmond & GE

Grade = C
Rating = Warranty Issues, Defective Units, Poor Providers

A.O. Smith, Kenmore, Lochinvar, State, & Sears

Grade = D+
Rating = Lint Filter Needs Constantly Cleaned, Poor FVIR Design, Warranty Issues, Defective Units, Poor Providers

Whirlpool

Grade = F-
Rating = Warranty is Void if Lint Filter is Not Cleaned Every 3 Months, Bad Warranties, Defective Units, Difficult Parts Replacement, and CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS

**IN MY OPINION, Whirlpool water heaters are the WORST available units on the market today. Although American-made, they break down constantly and come with poor warranties. And all you Do-It-Yourselfers out there, forget about doing your own repairs. Several people have accidentally broken the internal gas lines, causing explosions, fires, and floods. Save yourself loads of time, money, and frustration by NOT purchasing a Whirlpool brand hot water heater!**

Customer Review #1
Customer Review #2

American Water Heater

Grade = F
Rating = Poor Customer Support, Non-Transferable Warranties, Void Warranty if Lint Filter is Not Cleaned Every 3 Months, Defective Parts, Bad Customer Reviews

Customer Review #1

Check Out these Outrageous Home Depot and Sears WATER HEATER REVIEWS for More Insight:

WATER HEATER REVIEW #1
WATER HEATER REVIEW #2
WATER HEATER REVIEW #3
WATER HEATER REVIEW #4

Information Provided By Mark Weilhammer, Master Plumber and Owner of Weilhammer Plumbing Company in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Weilhammer Plumbing Company – Indianapolis, IN

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. Indianapolis, IN 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. Indianapolis, IN 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-714-0759 for professional water heater repair in Indianapolis, Indiana you can trust. We are highly trained, licensed, and insured master plumbers with decades of experience in the water heater service industry. Owner, Mark Weilhammer, and his team of master plumbing contractors provide a wide-range of water heater repair services for residential and commercial properties. We offer free estimates, unit and product sales, exceptional customer support, emergency water heater repair services, and much more! Call 317-714-0759 to learn more about gas water heater service and repair in Indianapolis, IN today.

Think Twice Before Purchasing a Whirlpool Water Heater!

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Water Heater Repair and Service 317-784-1870

Water Heater Repair and Service 317-784-1870

In my own opinion, derived from over 50 years of experience as a master plumber, Whirlpool Gas FVIR water heaters may be the WORST hot water heaters ever made and sold on the market, EVER. If that wasn’t clear enough, continue reading to learn more reasons why Whirlpool brand water heaters are terrible and frustrating investments that all buyers should be warned about.

Whirlpool Water Heaters are THROW-AWAY Appliances! Basically, if a Whirlpool water heater breaks down, they might as well be thrown in the garbage. If you don’t believe it, give me a call at 317-714-0759 and I will happily provide you with all the FREE information you can ask for regarding Whirlpool gas water heaters, repair tips, and warranties. OR you can check out my very own Whirlpool Water Heater Repair webpage (separate from my website), that discusses my discontent
and emphasizes the troubles with this brand.

The Trouble with Whirlpool Water Heater…They are the WORST Water Heaters Ever Made!

Replacement and repair parts are not easily available for Whirlpool water heaters. It takes weeks and sometimes months to locate the right part, and then wait for it to be shipped to your home or office. Do you want to wait for hot water that long? Check Out these Recent CUSTOMER REVIEWS!

More Problems with Whirlpool:

1. The air intake screen is too small; so within a short amount of time, it clogs up with lint, dust, hair, and other standard debris. Somehow, you must manage to clean the lint off the bottom of the appliance every three months (which is nearly impossible); otherwise it will not get enough air to operate efficiently.

2. There are several “Built-In” design flaws that cannot be repaired. The flaw is manufactured as a part of the appliance, so there is no “repairing” it or locating a replacement part to fix the problem.

3. Installing a Whirlpool water heater in a laundry room will most certainly cause it to fail. The air intake is too small but its sucks up lint like a vacuum sweeper! This starves it for air, and reduces its ability to operate properly.

4. Their new improved 2010 Honeywell thermostat design is not even close to an improvement at all. It overheats and burns out too. They have somehow managed to make the original problem much worse.

SIDE NOTE: In my professional opinion, tampering or “jerry-rigging” this unit to make it work is a LIABILITY AND SAFETY HAZARD, and should never be attempted. I believe it is very unsafe for budget-conscience home-owners to have gas valves and gas burners mailed to them; and then be expected to repair the heater themselves. Wouldn’t you agree?

5. Warranties are VOID if the lint filter are not cleaned every 3 months! And they are non-transferable to new home owners!

These units, in my opinion, should be removed from the market, and all units sold should be replaced instead of rebuilt over and over again. Look at the 1500+ Customer Complaints Regarding Whirlpool Water Heaters!

Information Provided By Mark Weilhammer, Master Plumber and Owner of Weilhammer Plumbing Company in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Whirlpool Water Heater Repair Advice

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company for assistance with Whirlpool water heater problems and advice for repairs in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner Mark Weilhammer, and his team, are master plumbers with more than 60 years of experience repairing water heaters and plumbing systems for homes and office buildings. We offer free estimates, free information, free advice, and water heater sales. Our Rheem water heaters are among the best brands sold on the market today; and we offer the most competitive prices in Indianapolis for our water heater products and appliances. Call 317-714-0759 and speak with a live and knowledgeable master plumber in Indianapolis, IN regarding water heater repair and services.

Electric Water Heaters: Need to Know Info

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Water Heater Repair and Service 317-784-1870

Water Heater Repair and Service 317-784-1870

When it comes to purchasing a new electric water heater, the best advice I can give as a master plumber of 60+ years is to ask if you are getting good lifetime elements. The only recent advances in electric water heaters have been the Rheem and the GE Hybrid models. These models came on the market about five years ago but never gained popularity because of their higher prices and associated costs. If you are looking for the BEST electric water heaters on the market right now, I would suggest Rheem or Bradford White models. They are made with heavy-duty stainless steel heating
elements that last a lifetime.

GE Electric Water Heater Hybrid Customer Reviews

Features of the Rheem Electric Hybrid Water Heater

Poor Choice for Electric Water Heaters: Whirlpool Energy Smart

These water heaters are “sub-standard” to say the least. Because of the various fire and liability issues associated with the control panel, repairs are far more complicated. If the circuit board gets wet, there is no hope for repair. Also, a replacement circuit board can cost upwards of $200 plus labor, and take more than a week to be delivered; and this might not even fix the problem. Many more repairs could possibly be needed. The biggest problem however, is that many plumbers (such as myself) refuse to attempt repairs on these units because of the safety and liability concerns. If you have this unit, and it breaks, it can be difficult fining someone to repair it for you at a cost that seems fair. In my opinion as a veteran master plumber, these are the WORST electric water heaters on the market right now.

Whirlpool Water Heater Customer Review #1

Whirlpool Water Heater Customer Review #2

A.O. Smith, Sears, and State Select Water Heaters

The 2010 make and model A.O. Smith FVIR gas water heater has similar problems to the Whirlpool models. They are poorly designed; taking in barely enough air to operate. For those who have their Smith water heaters installed in a laundry room, clogs and unit problems will most certainly occur in a very short period of time. This is COSTLY! Remember that State and Sears water heaters are made by A.O. Smith, so beware. In my previous years of experience I have installed many of these units, only to uninstall them less than a year later. This is why I do not repair or install them anymore. For example, 150psi air pressure couldn’t even remove the lint stuck in the lint screen less than a year later in a 2004 State Select Gas Water Heater. With my experience as a master plumber, I can make an educated guess that this FVIR design in the A.O. Smith gas water heaters will not only see a heap of problems in the future, but perhaps a product re-call and class action lawsuit as well.

Sears Water Heater Customer Review #1

Kenmore Water Heater Customer Review #2

Weilhammer Plumbing Company – Indianapolis, Indiana

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Mark Weilhammer, owner and operator of our 112 year-old Indianapolis plumbing company, for accurate industry-information about water heater repair and installation services. We offer the most competitive prices and highest quality customer service in Indiana. This is why we have been a family owned and operated plumbing business since the early 1900’s. We offer a wide range of plumbing services; including 24 hour emergency plumbing, unit and product sales, installations, repairs, maintenance, replacements, DIY advice, and much more. Call us today at 317-714-0759 for a free estimate regarding water heater repair services in Indianapolis, IN and any nearby counties.

Talking Tankless: Tankless Water Heaters and the Myths that Fool Us All

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Indianapolis Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

Indianapolis Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

Ever since tankless water heaters have been introduced to the home appliance market, there has been an exponential growth of political hype, talk, flaws, and half-truths about their advantages and disadvantages. Complaints surrounding these water heaters are plentiful, and extremely easy to locate online. However, if you already own or intend to purchase a tankless water heater, be sure to read all the fine print; because it can cost upwards of $4000 to purchase and install a tankless water heater unit! With hard-earned money being spent ever-so-quickly, you should only hope to never run into problems or unit break-downs.

Eco-enthusiasts who wish to “go green” sometimes believe the high-price is a worthwhile trade for the sake of saving money and energy in the long-run. Unfortunately with these units, that is not the likely case. Tankless units do not save enough money or energy worth mentioning. The margins are so fuzzy and miniscule that the high price paid is NEVER worth it. Sad, I know; but true non-the-less. If you truly wish to “Go Green” on a large scale, consider investing that money into insulating your home or installing better windows. Planting more trees around your home is another fantastic and effectual Eco-friendly project to invest in. These ideas will certainly render more savings than tankless water heaters.

Numbers Don’t Lie – Consumer Reports 2008 Information and Statistics for Tankless Water Heaters

• Break-even point after purchasing a tankless water heater comes 22 years later.

• Add on the monthly de-scaling costs of $300 and money is actually lost.

• Hefty maintenance costs – $3000 over a ten year period.

• Heating coils must be professionally serviced and cleaned routinely to evade lime and sediment buildup. If lime is present on heat coils, warranty is VOID.

• De-liming services run $300, and the warranties mandate this service TWICE a year in order for the warranty to remain active. Does that sound economical?

• To own a tankless unit, one must also purchase a water conditioning system or water softener. This reduces lime and scale in the water that can damage a tankless water heater and render the warranty void. This is an additional $2000 cost, at least.

• Many models have been discontinued, leaving older units without replacement parts. A 10-15 year old tankless water heater part can be almost impossible to locate because the company is out of business or the model is no longer manufactured. If a part is found, it can be equally difficult finding a repairman that knows how to facilitate the service.

• Large tax credits are now a fantasy. They DO NOT EXIST anymore. A homeowner may receive up to $500 off their taxes; that is of course, one year later and after the initial $4000 purchase. Ask yourself, “Is that really worth it?”

Tankless Water Heater Customer Reviews:

Customer Review #1
Customer Review #2
Customer Review #3

Information Provided By Mark Weilhammer, Master Plumber and Owner of Weilhammer Plumbing Company in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Indianapolis Water Heater Repair Services

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

For licensed and insured Indianapolis water heater repair services, call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. at 317-714-0759 today. Owner, Mark Weilhammer, and our team of state-licensed master plumbers, have more than 60 years of experience in the plumbing industry. We provide a wide-range of water heater services and repairs for residential and commercial properties. We also offer free estimates, DIY advice, emergency water heater repair, unit and product sales, exceptional customer support, and much more! Call 317-714-0759 and speak with a knowledgeable and licensed master plumber in Indianapolis, IN today.

Water Heaters: Buyers Beware

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Indianapolis Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

Indianapolis Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

When it comes to shopping for FVIR gas water heaters, there is much “need to know” information before making a final decision to purchase one. When asking Master Plumber, Mark Weilhammer, you can trust that you are receiving professional and accurate industry advice regarding all water heaters and more. With his many years of experience and expert knowledge of plumbing, Mark warns all potential water heater buyers about the troubles and complications associated with FVIR gas water heaters. Continue reading and learn what Mark Weilhammer, Master Plumber and Owner of Weilhammer Plumbing Company, has to say about them!

WARNING! Did You Know…

1. Many brands of FVIR gas water heaters contain a lint filter that, if not taken apart and cleaned four times a year, the entire appliance’s warranty is void!

2. Several brands of FVIR gas water heaters have CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS pending against them, as well as, more than 1500 customer complaints! Want to know which brands?

3. If installing a FVIR gas water heater, be sure to install it in a CATCH PAN.

4. For properties with high water pressure and a closed-looped system, it is highly encouraged to install a T&P valve or THERMAL EXPANSION TANK & PRESSURE REDUCING VALVE (Average Cost: $475). This is OPTIONAL and can be passed on at the time of your installation.

5. A T&P valve can burst open due to high water pressure or thermal expansions, creating extensive flooding issues. If this happens to you, our Master Plumbers can redirect this open pipe to a nearby drain for free, if one is available.

6. BEWARE OF THE BAD WARRANTY! Many brands of hot water heaters offer poor labor warranties, so customers end up paying for replacement parts and repairs after just one year of ownership.

7. Thinking about buying a hot water heater at HOME DEPOT? Perhaps you should think again. Read negative customer reviews for Home Depot water heaters right now!

Customer Reviews #1
Customer Reviews #2

8. WHIRLPOOL WATER HEATERS are gaining a BAD REPUTATION. Check out this article published by Consumer Affairs, Online:

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/05/whirlpool_water_heater.html

And by My Three Cents.com:

http://mythreecents.com/showReview.cgi?id=122529

9. Might want to do more research on KENMORE WATER HEATERS before deciding to buy a new as well. Check out more customer reviews on My Three Cents.com:

http://mythreecents.com/reviews/american-water-heaters

10. If a hot water heater has a label on it that says, “Do Not Call the Hardware Store About Problems, Call 1-800-555-5555 for Help” It is basically saying you are hung out to dry on day one of owning your new water heater. And when calling, you will most likely be transferred to an overseas department that can be even more frustrating and confusing to deal with on top of a wasting money on a new but defective water heater.

11. Many times, in-house or contracted company installers are not licensed and insured plumbers; a critical prerequisite for water heater installation. So who’s really coming to your house trying to service and install your brand new expensive appliances?

Information Provided By Mark Weilhammer, Master Plumber and Owner of Weilhammer Plumbing Company in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Hot Water Heater Installation Services in Indianapolis, Indiana

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. Indianapolis, IN 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. Indianapolis, IN 317-784-1870

Call Mark Weilhammer at 317-714-0759 for licensed and insured hot water heater installation services in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We are highly trained and experienced master plumbers who provide a wide-range of plumbing services for residential and commercial properties. We offer free estimates, discounts when applicable, emergency plumbing services, exceptional customer service, competitive prices, and much more! Call us today at 317-714-0759 for free estimates and details about Indianapolis plumbing services and more.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. Officially Launches Our Brand New Website!

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We are thrilled to announce that we have officially launched our brand new Indianapolis plumbing website! Here at Weilhammer Plumbing Company Inc., we have been a family owned and operated plumbing business since 1901! And current owner, Mark Weilhammer, has more than 60 years of experience as a master plumber in Indiana! We are state licensed (#106214) master plumbers that provide a wide-range of plumbing services for residential and commercial property owners.

Indianapolis Plumbing Service and Repair

Weilhammer Plumbing Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Indianapolis Indiana 317-784-1870

We are happier than ever to have a new website that provides an abundance of information regarding our company background, industry credentials, and plumbing repair information. What’s even more exciting are the fascinating and helpful links, plumbing facts, and plumbing advice we offer on our website! There is a “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQS) page for all of those looking for answers to common plumbing dilemmas and trouble-shooting inquiries; as well as, a “DID YOU KNOW?” page that discusses relative and vital plumbing facts and specifics.

Visitors to our site are sure to find all they need to know about home plumbing repair and service; and if they don’t, they can use our contact information on our Contact Us page to call us and ask a live master plumber over the phone! You can also find a link to our Google+ page and our Facebook page too!

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc.

You can call Weilhammer Plumbing Company Inc. at 317-714-0759 to learn more about the plumbing services we offer in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. Owner, Mark Weilhammer, also offers free estimates, free plumbing advice, product recommendations and information, unit sales, product sales, and much more! Feel free to contact us anytime with questions or concerns about home plumbing problems or commercial plumbing needs. Just dial 317-714-0759 and get in touch with a friendly and knowledgeable master plumber in Indianapolis, IN or its nearby counties.