Household water heaters are silent workhorses dedicated to providing hot water on-demand. Since water heaters mostly work behind the scenes, we hardly notice them until they start acting up.
That said, even the sturdiest water heaters tend to run into problems now and then. While you can fix several issues on your own, a few may require the attention of a professional plumber in Boca Raton.
When it comes to finding a certified plumber for water heater repairs, you may have to do a bit more than searching the internet for “24-hour plumbing near me.” Most plumbers claim to be the best in their class, making it difficult to locate someone who is competent and trustworthy.
We have a few tips you can use to find an efficient plumber in your area. But first, let us look at four of the most common water heater problems that may require professional fixing.
1. Four Common Water Heater Problems That Are Best Left to the Pros in Boca Raton
a) Leakage
Your water heater may leak due to several reasons. Here are a few instances:
- One of the valves is jammed.
- The gasket is faulty.
- The water tank is leaking.
- The heating element bolts are loose.
- There is a leak in a nearby plumbing connection.
In some cases, you will only have to tighten the loose connections to fix the leak. However, if one or more element (like the gasket) needs replacing, you are better off Googling ’24 hour plumbing near me’.
b) Foul-Smelling Water
Bacterial growth inside the water heater’s tank can lend a foul odor to your hot water. In other words, if your hot water starts smelling like rotten eggs, you will know that the water tank is infected.
The problem could originate in your water source. As a test, you can run cold water to check if the smell persists. If it does not, then the anode rod inside the water tank is most likely at fault.
There is no way to fix a malfunctioning anode rod. Plus, changing it requires extensive technical knowledge. Under such circumstances, you can always contact the 24-hour plumbing near me service for help.
c) Loud Water Tank
Generally, there are two reasons behind an exceptionally noisy water tank. First, the water tank has sediment deposits at the bottom, and the heating element is burning those sediments.
In such cases, you will only need to drain the water tank. It is an easy process and should be done at least once a year for maintenance.
A noisy water tank may also indicate that the heating element is burning out. It is best to have a certified plumber replace the heating element for an instant resolution.
d) An Absence of Hot Water
In gas-powered water heaters, a faulty thermocouple or pilot control valve can cause the pilot light to blow out. As a result, you are less likely to get any hot water when you switch on the appliance.
This issue could also be stemming from a heating element (in electric water heaters) or thermocouple (in gas water heaters) that requires replacing. Most plumbers are well-equipped to handle such replacements.
In case you are facing a similar problem, simply contact a pro from your 24-hour plumbing near me search list and let them take care of the situation.
2. How to Find an Expert Plumber for Water Heater Repair
Considering how important a water heater is to your daily routine, you would probably want it to remain in top-notch condition at all times.
However, like any other mechanical system around your home, a water heater is bound to malfunction once in a while. Fortunately, expert help is always at hand. Here are a few ways in which you can find an experienced plumber to fix your water heater:
a) Talk to Friends and Family
Before you dive into search results for 24-hour plumbing near me, ask your friends, neighbors, and family for their trusted plumber contacts. Word-of-mouth may be your best bet at finding a competent plumber who delivers the promised results. While asking around, be sure to mention that you need a plumber for water heater repairs.
If you have enough time, try and shortlist three to four plumbers or plumbing agencies based on the referrals you receive. That way, you will have enough options to choose from.
b) Trust the Internet
Once you are done collecting referrals, you can do some independent digging to locate a few local plumbing agencies on the internet. For this, you will have to turn to your trusty search engine and type in keywords like “24-hour plumbing near me.”
However, plumbing encompasses several aspects. To streamline your investigation, you can add keywords such as “water heater” or “water heater repair.” This will present you with more accurate results.
Different plumbers have different areas of expertise. Ideally, you should look for a plumber who specializes in water heater repairs. In case that does not work out, try skimming through your 24-hour plumbing near me search list and locate someone familiar with water heaters.
c) Verify Credentials
One of the most significant steps to hiring a plumber is checking their insurances and license. Most states require plumbers to renew their license and work permit every few years. A license indicates that the plumber is experienced and updated on the current trends in the plumbing industry.
As a rule of thumb, you should only hire licensed professionals for any plumbing work around your home. You can visit your state’s licensing board website to check if the plumber you are considering has an active license.
Besides assessing the plumber’s license, you should also take a look at their insurance. Licensed plumbers usually possess state-mandated insurances which cover mishaps and repair-related damages. You can ask your plumber to provide proof of insurance to ensure that it has not expired.
d) Ask Questions
Eventually, you may find a plumber who checks all the boxes. But there is one last step that you should follow before closing the deal: ask them a ton of questions.
You may feel a little unsure about what to ask a prospective plumber, especially if it is your first time hiring one. Here are a few general queries that can set you on the right track:
- Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
- What is the estimated price quote for this job?
- Will you be doing the work yourself? If no, could you share the credentials of your helpers?
- Is your hourly rate fixed?
- How long have you been working?
- Do you have a list of customer references?
Conclusion
A malfunctioning water heater can quickly turn into a huge inconvenience, which is why you should waste no time in getting it fixed. The information furnished in this blog can help you know when to hire a professional plumber to examine your water heater, as well as how you can go about finding the right person for the job.
Your Search For 24 Hour Plumbing Near You Ends Here!
Are you looking for a plumber in Boca Raton? Trust the professionals at Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration. Our 24/7 emergency plumbing services are guaranteed to deliver satisfactory results. You can reach us at 561-260-5763 or visit our website to learn about our services and schedule a service call.
