Water Heater Repair Services in Downers Grove, IL

Patrick Galvin is repairing a water heater

A malfunctioning water heater in your home can lead to several issues. The most obvious issue is that you will not have hot water to take warm showers or wash your dishes.

A malfunctioning water heater can also cause a large amount of water to leak out of the appliance and into the surrounding areas of your home which can lead to water damage and even mold growth.

If your water heater stops making your water warm or starts leaking, you need to address the issue right away.

In many cases, a malfunctioning water heater can be repaired which is a fraction of the cost of replacing the appliance.

At Good Work Plumbing & Electrical, we provide water heater repair services for homeowners in Downers Grove, IL and the surrounding areas.

We are a fully licensed plumbing contractor that is prepared to handle both plumbing and electrical problems in your home.

Our experts have more than 30 years of combined experience and can effectively repair plumbing and electrical issues with your water heater.

Water Heater Leaks – Here’s What to Do

One of the most common problems with water heaters is leaks. Leaks in the water heater should be dealt with immediately because even a small leak can eventually turn into a serious problem.

As more water leaks out, it will spread over a larger area of your home and cause discoloration, warping, structural damage, and mold growth.

As soon as you notice a leak, shut off the power to the water heater. If the leak is substantial, you should shut off the cold water shut-off valve that is usually found above the water heater.

Our experts at Good Work Plumbing and Electrical will locate the leak on your water heater and fix the problem.  We will check the following areas of the water heater to locate and repair the leak:

• Inlet and outlet connections: We will check the connections of the cold water inlet and hot water outlet pipes for a leak. These connections are located at the top of the water heater.  If the leak is minor, tightening the connection may be enough to stop the leak.  Major leaks will need a more in-depth repair.
• Temperature and pressure relief valve: Too much pressure within the tank or overheating can cause a leak at the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve. We will turn down the temperature of the water and then raise it back up to see if the T&P valve leaks.  If it does, we will shut off the water heater and work to fix the problem.  If the problem seems to be a faulty valve, we will drain the valve to remove debris buildup.  If it still leaks after being flushed, we will replace the valve.
• Heater drain valve: This valve is at the bottom of the tank and it can leak if it is faulty or full of debris. We will flush out the heater drain valve and if the leak continues after the flushing, we will replace it.
• Leak from bottom of tank: When water heaters get old, there is an increased risk of an internal leak which will leak from the bottom of the tank. If the unit has an internal leak, then you must replace the water heater.

At Good Work Plumbing and Electrical, we can service the following types of water heaters:

• Electric water heaters
• Gas water heaters
• Tankless water heaters
• Hybrid water heaters
• Solar water heaters

Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Performing some simple maintenance on your water heater can help prevent damage and leaks and extend the life of the unit. If you ever suspect that there is an issue with your water heater that needs repair, contact the professionals of Good Work Plumbing and Electrical immediately. These water heater maintenance tips will help you keep your unit functioning properly:

• Check temperature and pressure relief valve: This valve is important for your safety because it opens and releases pressure when the pressure within the tank becomes too much. Failure to release pressure can cause an explosion from the buildup. Check the valve by turning off the power and water supply to the unit and opening the valve. If a rush of air and water vapor escape the valve, then it is fine. If not, then you need to drain the unit and install a new valve. It is recommended to replace this valve every two years, our professionals can inspect and replace this valve if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.
• Flush the tank: When you check the pressure relief valve, it is also a good idea to flush the tank to remove sediment buildup. Sediment can build within the tank and water lines which lowers the efficiency of the water heater. You can flush the water heater with these steps:
  • Shut off the power and water supply to the water heater
  • Attach a garden hose to the drain valve. The water leaking from the valve may be hot so be careful.
  • Open the pressure relief valve and then the drain valve and let the water drain from the tank. You should keep an eye on both valves to make sure the sediment doesn’t clog the hole as the water drains.  Keep a small tool handy to remove the sediment from the holes if necessary.  You shouldn’t attach the garden hose to the drain valve until you are sure it will drain reliably.
  • After draining the tank, close the drain valve first, disconnect the hose, and then close the pressure relief valve. Turn on hot water faucets in your sinks and shower and turn the cold water inlet to the unit back on.
  • Once water starts to come out of the faucets, turn them off and then turn the power supply to the water heater back on.
• Adjust the temperature: The temperature of your water heater should be set at about 120 degrees. If the temperature is higher, adjust it to bring it down to 120. Lowering the temperature of your water heater will lower your energy bills.

If you would like professional assistance to properly maintain your water heater, our licensed plumbers can provide effective maintenance.

Water Heater Maintenance and Repair from Good Work Plumbing and Electrical

Any issue with your water heater should be dealt with immediately before it becomes a bigger problem. If you need assistance with your water heater in Downers Grove, IL or the surrounding areas, contact Good Work Plumbing and Electrical for water heater repair and maintenance.

Our highly experienced and licensed contractors will diagnose the problem with your water heater and repair both plumbing and electrical issues with the unit (or advise you on purchasing and installing a water heater if they think that’s the right thing to do).

We strive to be efficient and cost-effective with our services and we always follow local, state, and national plumbing and electrical codes.