Water Heater Repair
Trusted Local Water Heater Repair Plumbers Near You
St Paul Pipeworks is an established and trusted name in Minneapolis and St Paul metro area, providing residents and businesses with professional plumbing services for decades. We are a locally owned & family-operated business specialized in plumbing repairs, installations & maintenance.
When repairing water heaters, the first thing that needs to be determined is if the water heater is a gas or an electric water heater.
Gas water heaters always have an exhaust pipe coming out of the top.
Electric water heaters do not require an exhaust system. They have a sheathed electrical wire coming out of the top. If it is an electric water heater and it is not providing enough hot water, a person can test the electric elements that go into the heater and replace them. It can be a laborious process and usually winds up being quite expensive. When electric water heaters are not putting out enough hot water, and all possible repairs have been assessed, St Paul Pipeworks plumbers advise customers to replace them.
Before calling a plumber, there are two things to troubleshoot that could be causing a gas water heater to malfunction.
1. Check to see if the pilot light is lit
If you have a gas water heater, the first thing to check is if the pilot light is operating. The pilot light is located behind two small doors near the bottom of the heater. There is an outer door and an inner door. Open both doors and look inside to confirm that a small flame is still coming out of the pilot light. Power vent water heaters do not have a standard pilot, making diagnosing them complicated. Call a plumber.
2. Check to see if there is a blockage
The second thing to check is if the burning chamber of the water heater is filled with debris. If there is debris, the homeowner can clean it out themselves. Once in a while, gas water heaters may have chimney blockage that is difficult for a homeowner to detect. It is best to call a professional plumber when the chimney is blocked. Many modern gas water heaters have a safety device built into them so that when the chimney is blocked, the water heater shuts off, preventing gas from leaking into the house.
Water heaters can have more technical issues compared to most other plumbing fixtures. If you see water on the floor, it is an indication that the tank has started to leak, and the water heater will need to be replaced.
Once in a great while, a leak is caused by the relief valve on the water heater releasing. This occurs when the tank’s temperature has gotten too high and excess pressure needs to be released. Typically, when you see water on the floor, it means the tank has started to leak and the physical tanks are not repairable.
If your water heater leaks on the floor, call us for advice on the next steps and choice of sizes and types of replacement water heaters. In the old days, there was basically one choice for water heaters. Now there are many to choose from. St Paul Pipeworks plumbers will discuss your options with you and help you find the best fit for your home or business.