Leaking Water Heater?

INFO FLASH:

A leaking water heater is not a good sign, but there are a few things to check before assuming your heater needs replaced.

• Small pools of water near your water heater could be something as simple as condensation if the heater is in a cold area or the weather where you live has marked temperature differentials.


• Check the water heater's thermostat. If you have the temperature on your heater set too high, this could cause the TPR valve to open to relieve pressure in the tank leaving a puddle on the floor.


• Or your TPR valve could be faulty. If so, it's a good thing you discovered it - and a plumber can repair it without having to replace the heater. Also a good thing.


• Check the other connections as well. A supply or drain line could be loose, or have failed, resulting in a leak.


• Last worst case scenario? Tank failure. Tanks on tank-style water heaters are sealed units. They're designed and manufactured to last awhile but not forever, and eventually they will corrode and fail. When this happens, the whole unit does need to be replaced.

If your heater is older, say 12 or more years old, it's a good idea to inspect it periodically for signs that the tank is wearing out. And if you're concerned about a tank failure causing damage, next time you replace your water heater, have it installed in a safety pan. The added piece of mind is usually worth it.

Questions? Need us to swing by and check your water heater for you? Just give us a call - we're here to help.

Dishwasher Not Draining?

INFO FLASH:

If your dishwasher is not draining properly, there's a pretty simple assessment to make that will tell you whether you need a plumber (that's us) or an appliance person (we recommend Cochran's in Sonoma).

So here's the drill:

If water is coming onto the counter, say from the airgap for the dishwasher, the drain line is clogged and you need a plumber.

If water is sitting in the bottom of the dishwasher but you're not getting any overflow, the pump for the dishwasher has most likely failed and you need an appliance repair person.

Was that helpful? We hate for you to lose time and a service call getting the wrong person out to address the problem. If you're still not sure, just give us a call. We're here to help.

Boden Plumbing : Sonoma 707-996-8683,
Napa 707-255-8155 or Petaluma 707-762-2769.
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photo credit: David Locke on flickr.com (Creative Commons)

Keep Up With Water Heater Upkeep

Let's face it. Tank-style water heaters require very little maintenance. Technically, you can just put 'em in and forget about 'em for twelve or fifteen years. But if you want them to really last as long as they're designed to last - and work most efficiently while they're at it, it really does pay to do a bit of simple upkeep.

And when it comes to water heater maintenance, sediment is the thing. Sediment builds up over time in water heater tanks. It just does. If it builds up too much it can make your water heater less efficient. If left too long, it decrease the life span of the tank.

But you can periodically get rid of accumulated sediment by draining your water heater and flushing the sediment out of the tank - and the good news is this maintenance job is something you can do yourself.

A once-a-year 'drain & flush' will maximize a water heater's lifespan and keep it operating at its best. All you need is a garden hose to attach to the tank to drain the water away. Then just follow these simple steps:

1. Shut off the heating element for the tank. If you have an electric water heater, turn off the breaker at the main panel. If it's a gas heater, turn the thermostat to the "pilot" setting.



2. Turn off the water supply to your tank. Most likely there is a shut-off right at the tank (on a copper pipe running into the top of the tank), but you may need to turn off the main water supply to your house.



3. Attach a garden hose to the bottom drain valve on your water tank and run the hose to a drain or out a door.



4. Turn on a hot water faucet in your home to ensure a vacuum doesn't form in the lines.



5. Return to the tank and open the drain valve near the bottom of the tank. (**The valve on the side of the tank, near the top, is a pressure relief valve. Leave it alone.



6. Check the color of the water coming out of the tank. At first it will likely be rusty or dark - that's the sediment you want flushed from the tank. After a few gallons have drained, the water should begin to run clear.



7. Once the water runs clear, close the drain valve on the tank then turn off the hot water tap in your home. (Really, remember to shut that hot water tap off or you'll be refilling the water heater for a long long time.)



8. Turn the cold water supply back on to the tank and allow it to fill.



9. Turn the power or the gas supply back on to the water heater once the tank has filled with water.

If you do decide to drain your own water heater, remember the water is definitely hot enough to scald you. Be careful, watch your eyes, and wear gloves for protection.

Also, it's a good idea to read the manufacturer's instructions and warnings on your tank before you begin. Water tanks vary, and on some it's possible for the heating element to burn out if there is no water in the tank.

So pretty simple. Of course if it does seem a bit intimidating - or you just don't have the time - it is something Boden Plumbing can take care of for you. Just give us a call.

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This is information we've posted here before, but it bears repeating. Simple home maintenance saves money, appliances and fixtures over time.

What's That Rotten Egg Smell in My Water?

INFO FLASH:

It's not common, but it's not exactly unusual either - a stinky rotten smell in your house's tap water, usually on the hot side but sometimes on both the hot and cold water sides. We have it happen most often for our Napa customers who are on well water, but folks in Sonoma Valley experience it on occasion as well.

What's that all about?

Well, there are a couple of possible reasons for a rotten egg smell emanating from your water supply: a reaction between sulfates in the water and bacteria and/or a problem with the anode rod in your water heater. Fortunately, there are realtively simple things you can do to address the problem.

Would you like to know more? Read this helpful article at The Clean Water Store: How to Eliminate Water Heater Odors, and then just give us a call if you have any questions. We're here to help.

Boden Plumbing - Napa 707-255-8155 or Sonoma 707-996-8683.