Water Heaters

We service all types and brands of water heaters. From installing a earthquake strap to complete replacement.

Both gas and electric storage tank style water heaters have parts that require regular maintenance. Before attempting any repair be sure to shut off any power and review you owners manual.

Corrosion control: When the water is heated, the dissolved minerals in the water can precipitate out and settle to the bottom. Its recommended that you flush your tank at least once a year. To protect against corrosion water heaters have a magnesium or aluminum rod called an Anode inserted into them from the top. The idea is that the anode will corrode instead of the tank. These should be inspected at least once a year, and replaced if necessary.

Gas water heaters use a burner controlled by a thermostat and thermocouple to keep the water heater operating at the proper temperature. A thermocouple produces a small electric current (when lit) that tells the gas control valve that the pilot is lit. If the pilot light goes out, the thermocouple stops producing the electrical current, and the gas valve will not turn the gas on to the burner. Near the bottom of the tank there is a thermostat inserted into the side of the tank. The thermostat senses when the water drops below a certain pre-set level, and this causes the burner to come on. When the desired temperature is reached, the thermostat shuts off the burner. There is typically a control knob to set the temperature.

Dip Tube: At the inlet of the water heater is a tube that reaches to the bottom of the water heater. This tube allows for the cold water entering the water heater to be directed to the bottom of the tank where it gets heated properly, without this tube the water would only have to travel a few inches before it would exit through the hot side without being properly heated.

TPR, T/P, T&P Valve: This is a safety device, this valve opens to relieve pressure if either the pressure gets to high or the temperature gets too high. This prevents the water heater from blowing up if something goes wrong. These are usually located near the top of the tank. Normally as your water heater heats the water, the water expands as its heated, and as it expands it gets pushed back to its source, such as the water main. Sometimes there is a check valve or some other obstruction between the heater and the source of the cold water. In that case, as the water expands, there is no place for it to go, and thus the pressure begins increasing.

Thermal Expansion Tank: This tank is a pressurized tank usually with a rubber bladder inside or a diaphragm in the middle. As the water expands it moves into the tank and doesn’t build up to dangerous pressure levels.

Earthquake Strap: This strap is for the water heater which should be anchored to the structure to prevent the tank from tipping and prevent a serious gas fire should the gas line rupture.