Water Heater Repair
What official sources say about water heater repair, and how to reach a local plumber by phone.
Safety first
The majority of injuries and deaths involving tap water scalds are to the elderly and children under the age of five.
Under certain conditions, Legionella pneumophila, the bacteria known to cause Legionnaires Disease, can grow in water heaters.
Most adults will suffer third-degree burns if exposed to 150 degree water for two seconds.
Burns will also occur with a six-second exposure to 140 degree water or with a thirty second exposure to 130 degree water.
Signs to look for
According to A. O. Smith manual, lime scale deposits can also cause rumbling and pounding noises as air molecules trapped in the lime scale escape when heated.
According to A. O. Smith manual, small amounts of water from temperature-pressure relief valve may be due to thermal expansion or high water pressure in your area.
Rheem manual says if the temperature and pressure relief valve on the water heater discharges periodically, this may be due to thermal expansion in a "closed" water system.
Why it happens
Vapors from products like bleach, fabric softeners, and detergents can be corrosive and damage heat pump water heaters.
The electrical contacts used in heat pump water heaters can ignite vapors and cause explosions or fires that result in property damage, injury, or death.
Your options
Heat pump water heaters are an energy-efficient alternative to electric-resistance water heaters.
Heat pump water heaters can be two to three times more efficient than a conventional electric water heater, saving significant energy and cost.
Most electric water heaters have two thermostats, both of which must be set to a common temperature for proper operation.
Safe steps you can take
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges all users to lower their water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Homeowners should not wrap heat pump water heaters with insulation blankets.
Unlike standard products, heat pump water heaters have a filter that must be cleaned regularly.
How to choose a plumber
Advice from consumer protection agencies:
In Illinois, homeowners should request an estimate of the cost of work to be done and compare it to estimates from at least two other contractors.
In Illinois, homeowners should find out if complaints have been filed against the contractor by contacting the Attorney General's office, Better Business Bureau and local Chamber of Commerce.
In Texas, even with a reputable business and a sound written contract in place, you should not pay in full until the work is complete and you have inspected it yourself and found it satisfactory.
In Texas, homeowners should make sure everything promised to you is in the written contract.
In Illinois, plumbers are regulated by the Illinois Department of Public Health and must be licensed by the IDPH to engage in business in Illinois.
If your state or locality has licensing laws, make sure the contractor's license is current.
Once you have narrowed your options, get written estimates from several firms.
Questions homeowners ask
Can you wrap a heat pump water heater with an insulation blanket?
Homeowners should not wrap heat pump water heaters with insulation blankets.
Can water at 120 degrees cause burns?
Even if the temperature is 120 degrees, a five minute exposure could result in third-degree burns.
What temperature should homeowners set their water heater to?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges all users to lower their water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Related plumbing services
Sources
- Instruction Manual - Residential Gas Water Heaters - A. O. Smith (2021)
- HVAC Heat Pump Water Heaters | Building Science Education - U.S. Department of Energy
- Use & Care Manual - Residential Gas Water Heaters - Rheem
- Home Repair and Construction: How to Choose a Contractor - Illinois Attorney General
- Tap Water Scalds | CPSC.gov - CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) (2012)
- Purchasing Energy-Efficient Residential Water Heaters | Department of Energy - U.S. Department of Energy
- Hiring a Contractor | Federal Trade Commission - Federal Trade Commission (2014)
- How to Avoid Home Improvement Scams | Office of the Attorney General - Texas Attorney General