Gas Water Heater Repair Cole Harbour / Nova Scotia / Canada

Currently, there are many different shapes, sizes, and types of water heaters on the market. Electric and gas tank-style water heaters remain the most common in the world over. The only differences between electric and gas water heaters are found in the fuel source and heat exchange system. In electric water heaters, a strong electrical current is used to run through resistance coils. When electricity encounters resistance, it generates heat that is transferred to the water. Gas water heaters, on the other hand, use a natural gas burner array to heat the water – like a gas stove or the burners in a gas grill but optimized for surface area to heat the tank of water. Aside from those fundamental differences, though, the plumbing and operation are mostly the same. 

Aside from these conventional designs of water heaters, there are also newer types like tankless or instant systems, heat pump-based designs, solar water heaters, and condensing tank systems. Many gas water heater repair and maintenance service companies who repair and service gas water heaters also repair different other types of water heaters. If the problem is not repairable, and a new gas water heater might be required, these gas water heater repair and maintenance service companies can walk you through the various options available to you for a replacement. Fortunately, though, most water heaters tend to last for many years, which can be extended further with proper maintenance by gas water heater repair and maintenance services.

In this article, we’ll offer some considerations about why leaving the repair and maintenance of gas water heaters to professionals from gas water heater repair and maintenance services, highlight the importance and benefits of regular maintenance, and talk about common problems and their associated repairs.

GAS WATER HEATER REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES – IMPORTANT CAUTION

Before we begin, we want to take a minute to provide some critical cautionary advice to consumers. For many, it may be tempting to save money and try to diagnose and repair water heater on their own, rather than calling a gas water heater repair and maintenance services company, but usually, this is a bad idea. First, it is unlikely that you will be able to determine the cause of the issue without professional training. Second, there is a great deal of risk involved – if you open or close valves improperly, or damage components or pipes in the water heater, you very well may make the situation worse, causing flooding or other damage to your home. You can even damage your gas water heater, making a fixable problem into one that can only be solved with a whole gas water heater replacement. Lastly, as gas water heaters use natural gas, there is a real risk of leaks or other problems developing that could result in hazardous conditions in your home, putting your home at risk. It is much more comfortable, and far safer, to leave diagnosis and repair work to professionals from gas water heater repair and maintenance services.

Some maintenance tasks can indeed be performed by consumers, with little to no risk. Usually, these tasks, such as flushing the tank once a year or more frequently, to release any sediment buildup, are spelled out in the instruction manual or owner’s manual that comes with a gas water heater. If you are not sure how to do this or other maintenance tasks, you can certainly hire a pro from a gas water heater repair and maintenance service and ask them to show you how to do these tasks. Then, next time, you can do that yourself if you choose so.

GAS WATER HEATER REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES – THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE

Unsurprisingly, gas water heaters need maintenance just like every other appliance and system in your home. Gas water heater repair and maintenance services companies typically offer an annual check-up or tune-up service for home gas water heaters, to ensure that the components are in excellent condition, everything is working as it should and proper maintenance is conducted, etc. It helps to minimize the risk of more severe problems developing and maximizing the life (and therefore value for your investment) of your gas water heater. 

Typical annual gas water heater maintenance generally includes the activities listed below. As we mentioned above, however, some of these tasks (like periodic flushing of the tank) can be done by consumers, if they are clear on the instructions or have seen a demonstration from gas water heater maintenance and repair professional on how to do it correctly. If you have any doubts or uncertainties, though, our advice is to leave it to the professionals from gas water heater repair and maintenance services provider, as part of an annual check-up. These maintenance check-ups typically include:

• Draining and flushing the gas water heater tank to remove sediment that accumulates in the bottom. Even the cleanest water will contain some residue, and over time it accumulates at the bottom of the water tank. Cleaning and flushing the gas water heater tank will help ensure efficient heating and quiet operation of the gas water heater.
• Ensuring that temperature control regulator and pressure relief valve is functioning. A pressure relief valve prevents gas water heaters from pressure overload, letting off excess pressure and water if a certain pre-set limit is reached or exceeded. It is critical that this valve is periodically checked to ensure it is always operational, as it is a vital safety system on modern gas water heaters. 
• Examining and replacing, if required, the sacrificial anode rod (this helps prevent corrosion and rust). Not all water heaters necessarily have these, but if yours does, it is essential that it be maintained and replaced when needed, to avoid corrosion or rust of the heating manifold inside. These are typical for electric water heaters, however.
• Checking gas water heater thermostat/thermocouple readings and electrical connections, and adjusting thermostats as needed. One sure way to drain the life out of your water heater prematurely is by leaving it set on to a very high temperature. Many older units can develop substantial temperature variations over time and keep your tank’s water at a higher temperature than necessary. Calibration and adjustment can help prevent this.
• Checking gas water heater piping, joints, and valves for signs of leaks or corrosion, and replacing or repairing as necessary. That is the surest way to spot and fix minor problems before they turn into significant headaches, like flooding, in your home. 
• Checking straps and other tank safety reinforcements.
• Adding, repairing, or replacing insulation jackets on the gas water heater tank (typical in colder climates). Insufficient or damaged insulation can lead to far less efficient water heating, resulting in more energy use, more heating cycles, and shortening the lifespan of your gas water heater.
• Ensuring proper clearances around the unit and monitoring a heating and discharge cycle to provide an appropriate operation as per the expected standards for the gas water heater unit.

Maintenance services from gas water heater repair and maintenance services, along with regular maintenance by consumers themselves, is the best way to ensure a trouble-free operation of gas water heaters. In addition to extending and maximizing the life of the gas water heater, maintenance can pre-empt inconvenient breakdowns and hassles. That is not a pleasant event when your hot water stops working in the middle of the wintertime! If your gas water heater breaks down and requires professional repair or problem diagnosis, then gas water heater repair and maintenance services can help get you out.

GAS WATER HEATER REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES – COMMON PROBLEMS FOR REPAIR

When a problem does develop with your natural gas-fired water heater, it may often not be immediately apparent what repairs needed. Professionals from gas water heater repair and maintenance services have the tools and experience to diagnose all the issues that may develop and know the best solutions and strategies to repair those gas water heater problems quickly, efficiently. Some most common issues with gas water heaters include:

• Pilot light flame-out, which can be caused by a leak, or just dust, dirt, corrosion, or other factors blocking or reducing the little flow of gas that is used to keep a pilot light. A professional gas water heater repair and maintenance services experts will be able to identify the problem and ensure it’s not the sign of a more significant problem.
• Many different problems can cause insufficient hot water or water temperature issues. There may be an issue with gas water heater burners, onboard electronics that control the operation of the unit, the thermostat, or more severe problems like a leak in the gas water heater tank. In many cases, this is the first indication that the gas water heater has a problem. 
• Leaks are generally apparent but are easier to deal with if they are caught early on. With any sign of leakage (aside from very tiny amounts of water that will sometimes accumulate in the overflow pan), the best bet is to consult a professional from gas water heater repair and maintenance services to make sure a small problem doesn’t turn into a flood.
• Noisy operation is another common problem and is usually caused by either a buildup of sediment in the bottom of the gas water heater tank or rust, scale buildup on pipes and internal heating elements.