Category Archives: Hot Water Heaters

Tips for Easier Water Heater Repair

When it comes to keeping your water heater in tip top shape, you really cannot go wrong with hiring a plumber. An emergency plumber has all the skills and training that are necessary to ensure that your device will be working as efficiently as possible. In addition to this, a plumbing contractor uses all the necessary equipment that will ensure a hundred percent effectiveness.

However, professional services can possibly take a chunk out of your budget, because emergency plumber services do not come cheap. Fortunately, there are certain things that you may do in order to minimize the fees and professional charges that you would have to pay in order to bring your water heater back to its former state.

By doing the basic and minor repairs by yourself, you minimize the tasks that a plumbing contractor would have to tend to; thus, minimizing the amount that you would have to pay him. Here are some tips that you may use in order to make the process of water heater repair much easier.Water heater repair Acworth GA

If your heater does not heat the water as much as you wish it would, for example, then you should definitely look into the over-all heating process that your device uses. There are certain things that may have caused this predicament, including bad water supply for example. Make sure that the right amount of water goes into your device, and that the same amount comes out of it. If there is even the most minor difference between both water levels, then there is a possibility that the smallest volume of water is leaking inside your device, thereby causing it to function less efficiently than it could. For gas water heaters you should also make sure that the heater’s pilot light is working well, in order for it to heat the water to the right temperature.

If your device is making strange noises, on the other hand, then it is most likely because some part of the water heater has become loose. Open the device and make sure that all individual parts are connected properly. It would also do you well if you take of all the parts and clean them before you place them all together again. This way, the water will be able to pass through the device without any problem.

If you notice that your water heater tank is leaking, then you should look into how the parts that are involved in the over-all water way are connected. Tighten the connections and you will most likely be able to get rid of the problem. Leaking may also be caused by overheating and overworking the device, so make sure that you only use the right settings when you use it and that you turn it off completely when it is not in use.

By tending to these problems by yourself, you exponentially decrease the amount of work that you plumbing contractor would have to put into the job. However, it is imperative that you still have a plumber do a once over before you use the heater again, in order to ensure that all the pieces are in their proper place.

Find a Plumbing Contractor

The Most Important Things to Look for In a Plumbing Contractor

When I first started out as a plumbing contractor I sought the help of a retired associate and asked him what the most important thing I could do for my business would be. He told me that there were only two things to really worry about and those are pricing and quality of work. If I focus on high quality of work at a decent price I would never have to worry about keeping a customer.

He said, “If you give clients great quality at a fair price, the only problem will be whether or not  you’ll always be able to provide immediate service for any emergency.” However, as in all businesses there are issues that arise when your aim is to offer quality service at an affordable price. You will have to staff your plumbing company with adequately trained and qualified workmen, and this means charging enough to compensate for the higher quality workmanship.

In most cases, a plumbing contractor does not fully focus on pricing quality of service, even though this is what is looked for most often by customers. Most plumbing companies focus on quick service and low prices. But this doesn’t necessarily mean you get a good job. In most cases this objective just causes more problems than it solves. As a plumbing contractor that focuses on quick and cheap services, you are more likely to be on the phone with unsatisfied customers demanding a return to fix the problem. As a customer of a cheap plumber you can easily be frustrated when the job you had done is not done correctly the first time.plumbing contractor

Cheap plumbers often are not licensed or insured. In the event of an accident on your property in which the plumber gets injured, you may be held liable for the medical bills if the plumber is not  insured. Another way that cheap plumbers cut costs is to use low quality parts and fixtures. Beware the low bid on a job if the plumber will not guarantee the quality of his work and the parts. While you do want quality parts and labor, don’t let yourself be talked into paying too much for anything. Do some quick research on websites such as Home Depot or Lowe’s to find out approximately how much parts should cost. For example, let the plumber know that you want a particular toilet, water heater, etc. and let him know how much you will pay for it.

Those companies that do focus on quality and service often charge exorbitant fees, and this doesn’t work either and causes them to lose customers or rely heavily on advertising for new customers. They may also have high overhead in the form of a big building and a lot of trucks, some of which may not even be in use at the time. They need to have the extra money to pay for these expenses so they have to charge more. The solution is to find a plumbing contractor that focuses on both quality and service at a fair price. That being said, even the best contractor may not be able to meet every emergency need you may have. Therefore, it is best to have a primary contractor that you trust, and a secondary who may be able to help when your main plumber is unable to get there in a timely manner.

Water Heater Replacement: Signs and Symptoms

All households require hot water, so your hot water heater is one of your most essential home appliances. Water heaters use fuel from a variety of sources including natural gas, electricity, propane and solar. Most water heaters have tanks to hold heated water, but tankless hot water heaters which heat water on demand, are also available. All hot water heaters eventually require maintenance and replacement.

Tankless water heaters are more energy and space efficient, have a longer lifespan and perform better than conventional water heaters, but most homes are still equipped with conventional water heaters, whose average life span is ten to fifteen years. Replacement of a traditional water heater is usually needed because of the build-up of scale and rust on the inside of the tank. Tankless water heaters do not hold heated water in a tank, making their projected lifespan considerably longer. Although a tankless water heater can last up to twenty five years, it is typically only warranted for a period of ten years.

Replacing your hot water heater is a task that can usually be completed in just a few hours by a licenced plumber, but how do you know if your hot water heater needs replacement? Some sure indicators for water heater replacement are:

1.) Your water heater does not produce enough hot water.

2.) Your water is discolored, usually yellow or rust-colored.

3.) Your water heater is leaking.
Hot Water Heater
The build-up of excess sediment inside your water heater may cause it to heat a lower volume of water. Sediment build-up can also cause your water heating element to short circuit, leading to complete failure. Discolored water observed when hot water is coming out of your faucet, is a sign of excess scale built up inside your water heater tank.

Rust or corrosion may be causing your water heater to leak but your plumber should also examine the plumbing leading to and from your hot water heater, for leaks or other issues that could contribute to plumbing problems in your home. Water heater replacement can usually be accomplished with minimum service interruption, when done by a qualified plumbing professional such as K.L. Contractor Plumbing, Inc. in Acworth, GA.

Hard Water – Acworth Plumber

Hard water is water that has a high concentration of minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, but it also may contain bicarbonates or sulfates. While the term “hard water” sounds bad, it is usually not considered harmful for consumption.

One of the disadvantages of hard water in the residence is the presence of scaling. This is the layers of minerals that are left over after the hard water has evaporated. This scale can clog piping in the home, cause damage to water heaters and plumbing fixtures, and ruin such items as teapots and coffee makers.

hard water acworth plumber

One way to combat scaling caused by hard water is to “soften” the water. An ion exchange water softener is a fairly inexpensive product used to soften the water. Basically, the hard water enters the softener and the minerals in the water are partially absorbed into ion exchange beads. When this happens, sodium ions are released into the water, helping the further soften the water.

Potassium chloride can also be used instead of sodium chloride, exchanging ions in the minerals with potassium ions in place of sodium ions.

If you have hard water and need a plumber in the Acworth, Marietta, Woodstock, or anywhere else in our North Georgia service area, and want a permanent solution, contact us today.

For more information about hard water, try Wikipedia or To Soften Or Not To Soften.

Plumbing Services Acworth

K.L. Contractor Plumbing as been providing plumbing services in Acworth, GA since 1999. We are based out of Acworth and are not only licensed, but also bonded in Cobb County.

We offer a full range of plumbing services including but not limited to the repair and/or installation of the following:

We provide plumbing services in Acworth for both residential and commercial clients. Whether its an emergency situation when you need a plumber quick, fast, and in a hurry, or if you’re remodeling to get that “dream home” you’ve always wanted, we can help. Our technicians are courteous and highly trained and want to help you to solve your problem. Quality is our main goal and speed of service is a close second. We want to make sure that when the job is done, its done. We have been called in before to fix problems left behind by less motivated plumbers and we’ve vowed to never leave a client in that situation.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

We know that when you are looking for plumbing services in Acworth you have a lot of plumbers to choose from. Who should you choose? What makes one different from the rest? This is a common feeling and we want you to feel secure when you choose us to be your plumber. That’s why we offer our 100% satisfaction guarantee. That is, we make sure that the job is done to your complete satisfaction. If you’re not satisfied, we’re not done.

Quick Response

As we are located in Acworth we are very quick to respond to calls in our fair city. Give us a call today and find out for yourself how convenient it is to have us as your neighbor.

Hot Water Heaters

Ever since man discovered fire we’ve used it to heat water. First we used it for cooking and later we used it for cleaning, and it usually took time to get the water heated to the point where we could use it. Today we take it for granted that we can turn on the faucet and within seconds we have our hot water on demand. That hot water may be heated and stored in a tank, or it may be heated by a new kind of technology called a “tankless” hot water heater. Either way, you have to love having the ability to take that hot bath at night or the hot shower in the morning without having to heat buckets of water over a fire!

Standard Hot Water Heaters

Hot water heaters are typically either electric or fueled by gas or oil. The water flows into the top of the tank where it is stored and heated. The tank is usually insulated to to keep the water hot, reducing the energy needed to heat it. All tanks will have a pressure relief valve that will open if the pressure builds up too high in the tank. This safety device prevents the tank from exploding from overpressure.

Tanks are usually constructed of steel with a glass lining inside. This glass lining helps to prevent corrosion of the metal. Another corrosion prevention device you will always find on a hot water heater is a magnesium anode rod. This rod will corrode instead of the steel. It’s a good idea to check the anode rod once a year and replace it when it becomes bad. This can greatly extend the life of your hot water heater. However, if a tank does corrode it is recommended to replace it. It can often be fixed temporarily but that is not a good long-term solution.

The recovery rate of your hot water heater refers to the speed at which it can heat water. The recovery rate tells you how many gallons of water can be heated to 100 degrees Farenheit in one hour. Generally speaking, the lower your recovery rate, the larger the tank you will need. Fuel fired tanks tend to have higher recovery rates while electric tanks tend to have lower ones, therefore you will often see larger tanks being used in homes with electric hot water heaters.

Tankless Hot Water Heaters

You may find that a tankless hot water heater is what you have or want. If you live in a home that uses a boiler for heating then you may have the option to use a boiler-heated hot water system. This is when the incoming cold water line is wrapped with pipe and hot water is flows through it, heating the water in the line. A standalone version is also available to heat the incoming water in homes where there is no boiler.

Also known as an instantaneous hot water heater, this type does not store water in a tank. Instead it heats the water as it is needed by using a coil and heat exchanger. While there is the benefit of lower heating costs there is also the possible drawback of having a lower flow rate than you would normally see in a tank system.

Call 404-626-2440 today to get your hot water heater (standard or tankless) installed or repaired.