Some Fall Water Heater Advice for Lincoln Homeowners
You may be asking yourself if your water heater can stand up to another Nebraska winter, or why the unit seems to put in more effort with each passing year. And how many times has a shower gone cold on you mid-way?
We would say you have come to the right place if so. As a local company, Select Plumbing, Inc. is at the service of Lincoln and the rest of Lancaster County. A phone call to (402) 944-1997 is all it takes for us to see that your home is in order for the colder weather.
There is no better time than fall to give your water heater some attention. The days are still mild and you can put right any issues before the deep freeze makes them harder to deal with. Most homeowners make the mistake of waiting for a breakdown; they do not want to have a water heater on the fritz in January when an October problem would be nothing compared to it.
The Case for Attending to Your Water Heater in Fall
A Lincoln winter will take its toll on a water heater. With the temperature down, the water entering the house is colder and demands more from your unit to be heated. If the heater is past its prime or has been left to its own devices, that strain is evident.
Then there is the matter of our ground freezing over. At 42-inches, the frost line in Lincoln is considerable, so the water off your service line is far colder in the wintertime. A unit in good shape will not be bothered by it, but an old one will have its work cut out for it.
Hard Water in Lincoln
Local water hardness is something we see Lincoln homeowners forget about. Minerals in the water will eventually make their way to the bottom of the tank and lay down as sediment. This is not something to ignore.
Sediment in your water heater will:
- Make heating less efficient, with higher energy bills to show for it
- Be the source of popping and rumbling while the unit is in cycle
- Take years off the life of the tank
- Result in lukewarm water and uneven heating
- Corrode the tank and cause leaks
An annual flush puts an end to that sediment. We recommend doing it in the fall, ahead of the heaviest part of the year for your unit.
Things to Check This Season
It does not take a plumber to be vigilant. Put in a few minutes and you can avoid being caught short later.
As the season turns, make sure to:
- See if there is pooling water or moisture at the base of the tank
- Give ear to any knocking or rumbling during a heating cycle
- Put the water temperature to the test and see if it is slow to warm
- Insure the vicinity of the unit is dry and unobstructed
- Note any discoloration or rust in the hot water from the faucet
Should you spot these, have a pro come by. Do not attempt to tinker with gas connections or the pressure relief valve however; leave those to a licensed plumber and not to a case of DIY error.
When to Think About a New Unit
Maintenance will only go so far. There is no worse time for an old water heater to give out than in the dead of winter.
If your unit is ten to twelve years plus, or you are seeing rust in the tank or your hot water, replacement is in order. The same goes if you have been making repairs on a regular basis or find the tank is leaking, even a little. Or if it can no longer meet what your household requires. We can put together what is most sensible for your budget and home, be it a repair or otherwise.
Preparation from Select Plumbing
Our 25-plus employees are State Certified and we are fully licensed, bonded and insured. On top of a 1-year warranty on our workmanship, we have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
From Waverly and Crete to Seward, Bennett, Hickman, Eagle, Denton, Malcolm, Greenwood and Raymond, we are here to serve. Our doors are open 7:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday and we can accommodate same-day for an urgent repair. Every job comes with a free estimate from us.
Make a call to Select Plumbing, Inc. at (402) 944-1997 and let us put your mind at ease for the winter. No need to wait until the first cold snap to discover your water heater cannot cope.
