Should I Drain My Water Heater?

Posted on August 15, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

Routine water heater maintenance is the most important priority for hot water heater. Not only will regular upkeep ensure your water heater is performing at maximum efficiency, which in turn saves you money on water and energy bills, it also ensures that you will not have to pay for costly repairs, or worse, premature replacement. After all, a new water heater will set you back at least a couple thousand dollars. For these reasons, especially personal comfort and quality of living, it is important to understand the maintenance needs of your water heater, and implement them as necessary.

Continue reading to learn more about standard water heater maintenance, including whether or not you should be doing it on your own.

Indianapolis Water Heater Service 317-784-1870

The best defense against costly breakdowns and hot water deficiencies is routine maintenance. Although it is important to hire a professional water heater technician to service and repair your water heater unit, there are some things you can do on your own. The main water heater maintenance priorities are inspections, flushes, and minor repairs and part replacements.

Water Heater Inspections

It is important to monitor your water heater so that you can catch small performance or mechanical issues early on, before they can cause you high water and energy bills or loss of hot water. The anode rod is a vital part of your water heater because it absorbs corrosion; however, it wears out overtime. They must be replaced as soon as they are corroded, otherwise, the corrosive agents in hard water will begin to deteriorate your inner unit shell instead.

Water Heater Flushes

Hot water heaters must be drained on a regular basis to eliminate the buildup of sediments and hard mineral solids. By eliminating these hard solids, you can better protect the interior workings of your water heater, as well as, prolong its life and enhance its performance. Less scale buildup also reduces the likelihood of frequent breakdowns and costly repairs. Have your water heater flushed at least once every year. Although it is possible, and common, for homeowners to drain their water heaters, it is wisest to hire a professional for the job just in case there are other issues that need to be addressed.

Professional Water Heater Service

There are some tasks that your water heater will need, that you cannot possibly perform yourself unless you have the proper training, tools, equipment, and permits. For this reason, you will need annual water heater service from a professional plumbing company. They have the knowledge and qualifications to deliver professional water heater service for all make and model units. Be sure to choose a licensed and insured Indianapolis water heater repair company that provides excellent customer service and reasonable rates.

Who Can You Trust for Water Heater Service?

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for free estimates, advice, and information regarding hot water heaters, anytime. Not only are we state-licensed master plumbers who specialize in water heater repair and service, we gladly provide recommendations and advice. Whether residential or commercial, we can provide all the water heater services you need. Call 317-784-1870 to get started.

5 Water Problems That Suggest You Need Plumbing Repair

Posted on April 25, 2018 by weilhammerplumbing

As a homeowner, you are mostly in tune with your home’s plumbing system. So when something is “off”, you tend to notice right away. Conversely, if you are mostly unsure about the overall condition of your home’s plumbing, it helps to have it inspected by a professional plumber. You can also look for common signs of plumbing problems yourself.
Frequently, indications of plumbing deficiencies can be seen in one of our everyday basic needs: water. There are 5 issues that can happen to your tap water than can strongly suggest something is wrong with your plumbing system.

Continue reading to learn what these top 5 warning signs are, and what you should do if your home is showing one or more of these problems.

Indianapolis Water Heater Plumbers 317-784-1870

❶ Discolored Water

When you fill a glass up with water from your kitchen sink, the color should be clear and crisp. There should not be a surplus of floating debris, nor should the water appear cloudy or dirty. If it does show any of these signs, there could be a problem with your water quality. You may be able to solve this problem with water line replacement, water purification, water filtration, reverse osmosis, and more.

❷ Smelly Water

If your tap water smells bad, it is a strong indication that something is wrong in your plumbing system. The type of problem can often be identified by the type of smell. A rotten egg smell suggests that your water has a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide gas. These odors often develop inside hot water heaters as a result of low chlorine levels, high sulfate levels, and even stagnant water. The best method for getting rid of water heater odors caused by bacteria and other elements is to sanitize the water heater tank, which requires professional plumbing service.

If your tap water smells like garbage, it could likely be coming from bacteria growth in your drains that come from food, soap or other materials sitting in there. The most effective resolution would be to sanitize your pipes and drain.

❸ Low Water Pressure

If you notice that your water pressure is decreasing or suddenly very low, there is something going on with your plumbing system that requires professional attention. Although low water pressure could be a sign of many plumbing problems, the most common causes usually involve clogs or obstructions of some kind within the pipes.

❹ Faulty Water Temperature

If you are experiencing water fluctuations, the first place to investigate would be your water heater settings. Check on them to ensure they are set to the proper temperature. If the setting is correct and you are still experiencing highs and lows in water temperatures, the problem could be with your water heater. This requires professional Indianapolis water heater service.

❺ Increased Water Bills

Water bills usually steady out to a consistent amount after living in the same residence with the same number of occupants for a long period of time. So when the water bill is suddenly very high, there is a good reason to investigate. The most common cause for increased water bills are water leaks, which require immediate professional inspection and repair. Other reasons for increased water bills is a running toilet, dripping faucet, water softener defects, lawn watering, filling up the pool, and water cooled air conditioners.

Call Our Plumbing and Water Heater Professionals Today!

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need a licensed Indianapolis plumber you can trust. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, has more than 60 years of experience in the plumbing industry. He can provide plumbing repair, replacements, diagnostics, installations, equipment sales, and much more. We also offer free estimates, free plumbing advice, and even free haul-away for old plumbing appliances like water heaters, water softeners, sump pumps, and more.

How to Descale a Tankless Water Heater

Posted on May 2, 2017 by weilhammerplumbing

Tankless water heaters have become a popular energy-efficient alternative to the standard tank-style water heaters we know so well. Aside from their increased energy-efficiency and eco-friendly operation, tankless water heaters have much to offer home and business owners alike. One of the most important responsibilities of owning a tankless water heater is regular maintenance. This includes annual inspections and service from a licensed plumbing contractor, as well as, routine descaling. Although it is recommended to call a licensed plumber for water heater descaling services, it is a job any handy homeowner can accomplish themselves.

Water Heater Repair and Service 317-784-1870

Descaling a Tankless Hot Water Heater

In areas with hard water, lime and scale can build up on the inside walls of the heat exchanger, causing problems for the entire unit. It is recommended to have your tankless water heater descaled once per year. You can choose to appoint the duty to a local and licensed plumber, or, you can choose to undertake the task yourself. If you wish to move forward on your own, be sure to review the basic steps of descaling a tankless hot water heater first. Look below to get started doing just that!

Tip: If your tankless water heater does not come equipped with isolation valves, you need to call a contractor for professional service!

What You’ll Need:

✔ 5-Gallon Bucket
✔ 3 Gallons Virgin White Vinegar
✔ Submersible Circulation Pump (available at any home improvement store)
✔ Two Small Garden Hoses

Instructions:

1. Turn off all power (gas or electricity) the water heater. Switch the breaker in the electrical box or shut off the main gas.

2. Shut off all water supply to the entire property, including the hot and cold water heater valves. No water should be coming into the house or into the water heater. These handles usually turn north to south and are located on the side of the hot and cold valves.

3. Be sure the hot and cold water valves are also closed. These are generally labeled red and blue and turn side to side.

4. Carefully remove the purge port valve caps. Place them somewhere gently so the rubber washer discs do not dislodge and they are not lost. You may feel some pressure when doing this, but just make sure the hot water valve is closed and you should be safe.

5. Fill the bucket with 3 gallons of white vinegar. Be sure the bucket is in a stable position and it won’t tip over once full.

6. Connect the hot and cold water hoses to the correct valves.

7. Connect the other end of the cold water hose to the output of the circulation pump.

8. Place the pump inside the bucket of vinegar.

9. Place the other end of the hot water hose inside the bucket.

10. Open the cold and hot water valves back up by turning them half-way, so the levers are parallel to the hoses. This will allow vinegar to flow up from the bucket, through the pump, up to the water heater, then back out of the hot water valve, and then back into the bucket. This flushes all the solid deposits from inside the tank.

11. To get that started, plug in your circulation pump and turn it on.

12. To be sure water is flushing properly, slowly lift the outlet hose out of the vinegar and check that water is coming out.

13. Allow the system to circulate for one hour, no longer.

14. When finished, turn off the pump and drain the vinegar from the tank.

15. Close the cold water valve.

16. Open the main cold water supply valve and flush cold clean water through the tank for 5 minutes to clear out any residual vinegar. Then close the main water valve.

17. Remove the filter screen from the inlet of the cold water valve and clear any buildup. Replace it when finished.

18. Disconnect the hoses, and replace purge caps.

19. Close the hot and cold water valves.

20. Open the main cold and hot water supply valves.

21. Turn the power back on.

22. Run hot water from a few faucets around the house and check for any performance issues.

Indianapolis Water Heater Service

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for tankless water heater service in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, Mark Weilhammer, and his team of licensed plumbers, service all make and model water heaters for both residential and commercial properties. We provide water heater repair, service, installation, and replacement at the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-784-1870 for Indianapolis water heater service, today.

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. for Affordable Water Heater Service and Repair in Indianapolis!

Posted on February 8, 2016 by weilhammerplumbing

You can get high-quality plumbing repair and water heater services at an affordable price! And in a time-frame that’s convenient for you!

Indianapolis Water Heater Service and Repair

Weilhammer Plumbing Company Indianapolis Indiana

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. is owned and operated by Mark Weilhammer, a state-licensed master plumber in Indianapolis, IN. Here at the Weilhammer Plumbing Company, we are passionate about integrity and quality workmanship. That is why our master plumbers stay trained and up-to-date on all advancements in plumbing technology and repair.

On top of standard commercial and residential plumbing service, we also provide professional water heater service and repair. We service and repair all make and model water heaters for commercial and residential properties, but if you need water heater replacement, we also carry top-of-the-line Rheem water heaters at an affordable cost!

Call 317-784-1870 for information about our water heater repair services, prices, and availability today!

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. Today!

Water heater service, installation, and repair shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg! That is why Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. offers the most competitive rates in town. As a company that has been locally and family owned since 1901, we understand that value of a dollar, and never take advantage of our clients with inflated plumbing repair costs and labor. You can rest assure that you are getting the most honest quote, highest quality work, and most competitive price for water heater service in Indianapolis!

Even if you do not require water heater repair, your existing unit still requires routine maintenance, inspection, and servicing. And our master plumbers can provide all of these services in just one visit! Call our office today at 317-784-1870 and speak with a friendly and knowledgeable company representative about our quality water heater repair services in Indianapolis, IN.