maintenance Archives | A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling

Why Get Professional Water Heater Maintenance?

Avoid Getting Stuck Without Hot Water This Fall!

Hot water is such a ubiquitous part of everyday life in most American homes that it's easy to take it for granted. After all, it's used for everything from handwashing and bathing to doing laundry and washing dishes. So when the water heater goes on the fritz, everyone in the house feels the pain – especially as colder weather approaches.

Aside from old age, the leading cause of water heater failure is a lack of proper maintenance. And with the water heater tucked away in a garage, basement, or utility closet, it's easy to overlook or put off maintenance until it's too late. To ensure homeowners don't get stranded without hot water just as the chilly weather rolls in, this article will explain why routine water heater maintenance is so important, what it entails, and how to tell when the hot water heater is on the verge of a breakdown!

Benefits of Regular Water Heater Maintenance

Every homeowner should be aware of several water heater maintenance benefits. Firstly, it helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and other issues by addressing minor problems as early as possible. Along these lines, maintenance also helps prolong the unit's life by mitigating the effects of normal wear and tear.

A well-maintained water heater will also perform better and with greater energy efficiency, which can lead to lower energy bills. By improving the unit's efficiency and reducing or prolonging the need for water heater repair or replacement, routine maintenance can save homeowners loads of money in the long run!

What Is Included In Water Heater Maintenance?

During a water heater tune-up, a professional plumber will perform various tasks, which vary depending on the type of water heater.

When servicing a conventional water heater, the plumber will flush the hot water tank to remove sediment buildup, inspect the anode rod (a device that attracts corrosive substances to protect the tank shell) and replace it if necessary, and test the T&P (temperature & pressure) relief valve. They will also check electrical connections, safety devices, and burners, replacing, tightening, or cleaning anything that needs it.

Tankless water heater maintenance involves most of the same tasks, although there's no water tank to flush and no anode rod to replace. However, tankless water heaters must be flushed periodically since mineral scales can accumulate inside the unit, interfering with the heat exchanger's ability to heat the water.

Mineral scale and sediment buildup can crack heat exchangers, clog pipes, and damage storage tanks, so flushing a water heater is one of the most important parts of maintenance. Generally, it's best to do this once yearly for conventional units and every 1-2 years for tankless units.

Signs that the Water Heater Needs To Be Serviced

Suppose it's been more than one year since the water heater was last serviced. In that case, homeowners should consider scheduling water heater maintenance to ensure the unit is in good shape and operating smoothly. But there are a few other signs it might be time for water heater repair or maintenance:

The hot water runs out faster than usual
The water doesn't get as hot as usual, doesn't get hot at all, or comes out too hot
The water temperature fluctuates frequently
Low hot water pressure (particularly if the cold water seems to have normal pressure)
The hot water is discolored or smelly
Water is leaking from the water heater itself
The water heater is making strange sounds (popping, rumbling, hissing, whining, etc.)

If homeowners notice any of these signs, there's likely a problem with their water heater. A simple maintenance visit may resolve the issue, but in some cases, water heater repair may be necessary. But if the unit is very old (10+ years) or the storage tank is leaking, a water heater replacement may be more cost-effective. To properly diagnose and resolve the issue, homeowners should consult a qualified and reputable plumber!

About A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling

Since opening its doors in 2007, A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling has become one of the most trusted and highly-rated plumbing companies in San Antonio. As an award-winning, family-owned local business, they are proud to offer up-front pricing, personalized solutions, and emergency plumbing service. They also offer a money-saving maintenance plan and guarantee 100% satisfaction on every job – so homeowners know they can count on A&A for water heater maintenance in San Antonio, TX!

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Why Is Plumbing Maintenance So Important?

Three Benefits of Plumbing Maintenance Visits

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stresses maintaining the home’s plumbing system. It uses a direct quote from John W. Gardner, the Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare from 1965 to 1968: “The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness…neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.”

There is no denying the importance of maintaining the plumbing system. It keeps water coming and going from the home and is also key to residents’ health. A healthy plumbing system is a healthy home.

Regular Upkeep Keeps Everything Running Smoothly

By maintaining the plumbing system, homeowners can avoid:

Clogs: Most clogs don’t happen overnight. There are usually small signs that become big signs over time. For instance, poor water pressure at first may seem inconvenient, but really, it can point to a clog. Foul smells from a sink’s drain may also indicate a hidden obstruction.
High utility bills: Homeowners should have a rough idea of how much water they use each month. They know what to expect when the water bill comes around. An unexplained increase in water consumption (and, by extension, higher-than-normal utility bills) could point to a leak.
Flooding: Flooding is one of the worst plumbing disasters that can befall a home. This can cause mold growth, wood rot, and water damage.

Maintenance Extends the Plumbing System’s Lifespan

How long the plumbing system lasts depends on many factors, including what the pipes are made of. For example, copper pipes generally last 50 years. On the other hand, some PVC pipes can last up to 70 years.

To have the home’s pipes last long, homeowners need to maintain their plumbing systems. To extend their system’s lifespan, homeowners should:

Schedule annual visits: A trained professional can assess the plumbing system and catch any problems before they become expensive.
Promptly address any leaks. Leaks don’t go away on their own. They only cause more damage the longer they’re left alone.
Remove any water-damaged drywall: Water-damaged drywall may seem nothing more than an unappealing blemish. However, it can serve as a hotbed for future mold and mildew growth. Over time, these organisms can damage the home’s plumbing system, causing irreparable damage and threatening the home’s safety.

These are just some considerations that can prolong the plumbing system’s life. They’re also

Being Vigilant Saves Money

Nobody wants to shell out thousands of dollars to fix a once-avoidable problem. They’d rather catch the issue before it causes serious damage. Saving money is just another benefit of maintaining the plumbing system. By being mindful of any problems, they can avoid paying for:

Underground water leaks
Burst pipes or water mains
Damage to drywall or structural foundations
Chronically breaking appliances

Plumbing problems can go beyond the cost of repairs. They can also cause higher-than-average utility. Sometimes, the cost difference is so small that homeowners might not realize it.

About A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling

When a homeowner calls A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling, they can learn more about maintaining the plumbing and access a host of home improvement services. These professionals offer same-day service, upfront piercing, and reliable repairs. Interested parties in San Antonio, Texas, can call these experts today for plumbing services!

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Is a Maintenance Plan Worth the Cost?

Reasons Everyone Needs a Maintenance Plan

There are a lot of unexpected costs that come with owning a home. Whether they are costs for repairs or high utility bills, there is always some problem demanding more money to be fixed. It can be enough to make even the bravest homeowner wonder if it is all worth it. For homeowners that are tired of getting battered by an endless barrage of costs, there are more creative ways to lower the costs of homeownership. Contractors aren't out just to get money from unsuspecting customers. In most cases, they are caring individuals that want their customers to thrive.

This month, take a moment to learn about a service that professionals design specifically to save homeowners money. Maintenance membership plans allow professionals to do the opportunity to perform maintenance so that bills stay lower for their customers. Read on to learn more!

What Is Included in a Maintenance Membership Plan?

Maintenance membership plans are programs that professionals design to help homeowners maximize their home maintenance dollars. When homeowners join the plan, they pay a small, flat monthly fee in exchange for the program's benefits. The monthly fee entitles the homeowners to a certain number of professional visits per year, usually two.

During the maintenance visit, plumbers will pay special attention to anything that may cause a premature failure of plumbing fixtures or anything that inadvertently costs extra money.

Never Neglect Maintenance Again

Maintenance is one of the most neglected aspects of homeownership, which is unfortunate since a professional inspection could prevent most plumbing failures. The benefit of paying a flat monthly fee is that it usually saves money by preventing emergencies from happening down the road. While the value of maintenance cannot be understated, even if plumbers find some deficiency, they can correct it without having to shut off water service to a home and charge overtime rates.
During a maintenance visit, plumbers will perform services like:

Water heater maintenance
Sewer line inspection
Leak tests on fixtures and toilets
Verify water pressure
Routine drain cleaning

By allowing the professionals to do their work, unexpected repairs will likely disappear. Homeowners can quickly see the benefits with more reliable water and drain service and lower operating costs on their home's plumbing.

Extra Benefits of Signing Up for a Maintenance Membership Plan

Membership in a maintenance plan usually has some fringe benefits as well. Becoming a member entitles homeowners to priority service over non-member customers. This means that most repairs can be completed on the same day.

Along with priority service, members generally enjoy discounts when problems do arise. Often this alone makes the membership worth the cost. Imagine being responded to quickly and it not costing as much!

The final benefit of membership maintenance plans is peace of mind. Too often, homeowners have plumbing problems hanging over their heads. By becoming a member, homeowners can gain the confidence that their plumbing is being looked after by a professional.

About A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling

A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling offers an attractive membership package to San Antonio, TX customers. For over 15 years they have been giving local homeowners peace of mind. With upfront pricing, their projects always go smoothly and leave nothing to chance. Call now for more maintenance plan info!