Water Heater Repair In Taylor TX

You can expect a good water heater to put out a steady supply of hot water and do so without any odd noises or temperature swings that would show up on your energy bill. In Taylor the mineral content of the water is unforgiving to a tankless system or an old-fashioned tank type alike.

At ROD Plumbing we handle the installation, repair and maintenance of water heaters throughout Taylor, TX. Our work covers everything from gas and electric models to whole-home tankless units and traditional tanks. We will have you weigh your options and make an informed call on a replacement, since the right system is one that suits your plumbing, water and the needs of your home.

How Taylor’s Water Affects Your Water Heater

The city gets its treated surface water from Lake Granger via the Brazos River Authority’s East Williamson County Regional Water System. While the state and federal testing requirements are met and annual drinking-water reports are put out by the city, the numbers tell a story.

A summary of public utility data puts Taylor’s water hardness at some 167 mg/L as calcium carbonate (9.8 grains per gallon). The U.S. Geological Survey would call anything from 121 to 180 hard water. There is variation from property to property though, and an on-site test is the best way to get a figure for making equipment choices.

Hard water is no danger to drink. What it does to plumbing when you heat up the dissolved magnesium and calcium is another matter. It has a way of depositing scale and sediment in places like:

In a tankless unit scale will cling to the heat exchanger’s narrow passages; in a tank-style heater minerals will make a habit of settling on the bottom. Let maintenance slide and these things will impair performance and see components fail before their time.

Traditional Tank Water Heaters

These are the kind of water heaters that keep 40 or 50 gallons of hot water in reserve.

Some advantages to a tank water heater:

Cost

You will generally not spend as much to put in a comparable tank-style model as you would to go tankless.

Installation is simple

With the right electrical, venting and plumbing in place already, a replacement calls for little modification.

Hot water on hand

Should there be a spike in demand or even a utility interruption, the stored supply can see you through.

Easy to service

Any plumber worth his salt is used to working on them and the parts are easy to come by.

Then there are the drawbacks:

Capacity is what it is

Deplete the supply and you are left waiting on the tank to recover.

Standby losses

Even with no hot water being drawn, the unit expends energy to hold the temperature.

Sediment

In Taylor the hard water will build up a layer of mineral sediment in the tank. This makes the heater labor more and can be the source of rumbling or popping.

They take up room

Not as compact as a wall-mounted tankless.

Leak risk

An aging, corroded tank can let loose a lot of water if it gives way, which is a worry if the heater is in a finished area or the attic.

All told, a tank water heater is still a sound value for a Taylor household where the budget is a consideration and one can replace the system as is. Just be sure to flush it on a regular basis.

Tankless Water Heaters

Also known as an instant or on-demand hot water heater, a tankless model will heat the water as it goes through. Do not mistake “instant” for hot water at the tap in an instant; the water in the pipe has to run out first. But the unit will produce a continuous flow of hot water up to its rating.

It does not run out

Provided the system is sized right, there is no storage tank to empty.

Fewer standby losses

The unit is not on duty to keep dozens of gallons warm.

Efficiency

The Department of Energy has figures showing tankless to be 24 to 34 percent more efficient than the conventional storage type in a home with daily hot water use of 41 gallons or under. The savings may not be as pronounced in a high-use home but they add up.

Space saving

Being wall-mounted it is unobtrusive in a closet or garage.

Longevity

If you have a gas tankless installed and maintained as it should be, ENERGY STAR says you can count on 20 years of service.

No ruptured reservoir

You are not going to have 50 gallons of water released from a corroding tank.

On the other hand, there are some drawbacks:

The cost of putting one in

You might have to put in a new condensate drain or different venting, or upgrade the gas line and electrical service.

Flow-rate is finite

You have to size the unit for the fixtures and the temperature rise.

Taylor requires upkeep

Without it a tankless heat exchanger will be restricted by scale. You will see the efficiency drop off, error codes appear and the flow diminish.

Reliance on power

Electricity is needed for the controls and ignition on most of today’s gas units. Sometimes you have to run a new electrical line.

A delay is possible

The distance to the fixture remains. In a large home with long runs of pipe a recirculation system is called for.

Temperature can be interrupted

Frequent on-off use or poor sizing can result in a “cold-water sandwich”.

In a Taylor home, a tankless is the way to go if it is properly sized and you put it on a descaling regimen with the right service valves in place.

How Frequently Is Flushing Required in Taylor, TX?

In the case of a standard tank water heater here in Taylor, we would put in for a professional flush every six to twelve months. The EPA’s advice is to do it annually to get at the sediment that saps efficiency; but given the hard-water profile of Taylor, a half-yearly interval is often called for should you notice any of the following:

An annual schedule may suffice where the water has been softened and usage is not excessive.

With tankless heaters one is talking descaling instead of a tank flush. Hard water conditions usually mean service every six to twelve months by the book. Rinnai will have you remove mineral buildup at least once a year, Rheem suggests a six-to-twelve-month period for their gas units. One should adhere to the manual; warranty coverage is at stake. right.

The Case for Flushing

It is a good way to clear out settled minerals and make heat transfer more efficient while relieving the heating elements and bottom of the tank of undue stress. It also affords the plumber a chance to spot any leakage or corrosion.

During a maintenance visit, we will have a look at the anode rod, the drain and temperature-and-pressure relief valves.

What Homeowners in Central Texas Are Reporting

There are common concerns we hear from homeowners about their water heaters.

Sediment Following Work on the Main

After a meter is replaced or there is a break in the main, homeowners in the area will tell you of sandy particles showing up. This can clog up the screens on appliances or showerheads time and again. Sometimes it is from your water heater. Sometimes it is just from the main line work the City of Taylor was doing. If it persists, we can help you diagnose it.

Persistent Scale on Tankless Units

Some have found that even after they have descaled the tankless heater, deposits are still at the fixtures. That is because the exchanger is not the only place the material is. We can service the unit and its inlet screen, have a look at the strainers and isolation valves and determine if a whole-home softener is in order to solve recurring scale issues.

Combustion and Venting

We often see homes where exhaust vents have not been properly terminated or an unsafe proximity between the fresh-air intake and combustion exhaust. Gas equipment has to be vented and installed right. Servicing or putting in a new gas water heater calls for us to check the venting, clearances per the manufacturer and what is required for combustion air. Should one detect a gas odor or visible damage to the vent, or have reason to think there is carbon monoxide present, the prudent course is to vacate the area and call for emergency aid as opposed to running the appliance any further.

When Water Heater Service Is Warranted

If any of the following are observed, get in touch with ROD Plumbing:

In the case of a tank leak, safe repair is seldom an option and replacement is in order. Put off the energy and water supply if it can be done without risk and put in a call for some professional assistance.

How hard is the water in Taylor?

According to utility data, the municipal supply in Taylor runs to about 167 mg/L (9.8 grains per gallon) of calcium carbonate, which the USGS would term “hard”. There is variation though, so a test at the property is called for prior to sizing any treatment equipment.

What is the schedule for flushing a tank water heater?

The EPA’s general advice is once a year but in Taylor where you might have heavy use or sediment accumulating fast, a six-month interval is better. Figure on every six to twelve months.

Is flushing necessary for a tankless water heater?

You will need to descale them from time to time to clear the heat exchanger of mineral deposits. Given the hard water in Taylor, every six to twelve months is typical, provided you follow the maker’s directions.