Next Steps When Your Water Heater Breaks Down

Did your water heater break down?

Are you panicking? Not sure what steps to take?

Unfortunately, everything wears out (including water heaters). Most of us aren’t thinking about our water heaters that often, or at all, until they break down or have problems that interrupt our lives. Maintenance is important. If your water heater isn’t checked, you may come home to a flooded basement (most likely not covered by insurance).

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Your Water Heater

The most common issue homeowners report is the water isn’t as hot as they want it to be. This can be caused by a faulty thermostat or a defective heating element. If a new installation isn’t in your budget, small repairs could fix this issue.  

Read more on our website!

Washtenaw Plumbing & Heating Has You Covered for Water Heater Installation in Ann Arbor

Call a plumber to install a new water heater or repair your current one. At Washtenaw Plumbing and Heating, we’ve had 20+ years of experience with water heater installation in Washtenaw County. We’re here to help any way we can and give you specific tips and next steps for your situation! (734) 222-3620.

Worried You Have a Leaking Water Heater?

Is your water heater not heating up properly?

Is it making noise or leaking?

Don't just write it off--let us make sure you need a replacement. In some cases we find a water heater with a leak somewhere besides the tank and it doesn't need to be replaced. However, if that's not the case, we provide installation and replacement for new water heaters!

When to Hire a Professional for Water Heater Replacement and Installation

If you’re replacing your unit, you can replace it with the same type, upgrade, or consider going the tankless water heater route! When looking for a new water heater, consider the gallon capacity, recovery rate, dimensions, and energy efficiency ratings. Ask the pros before you make a decision to avoid overspending!

Call a plumber to install a new water heater or repair your current one. At Washtenaw Plumbing and Heating, we’ve had 20+ years of experience with water heater installation in Washtenaw County. We’re here to help any way we can and give you specific tips and next steps for your situation! (734) 222-3620.

Prevent Pipes from Freezing this Winter

If you’re going to be in your home for the winter and want to be sure none of your pipes freeze during those cold stretches, there are some additional steps you can take to prevent freezing and cracking.

First, look for pipes located outside walls and windows, non-insulated pipes, and pipes installed near unheated spaces. Check your floors, walls, and ceilings for cracks or openings. If you find any, caulk them to keep cold air from coming in. 

Read more about preventing freezing pipes on our website! 

We believe what this business is really about is serving you, the customer. It's important to us that even in an emergency, we are there for you. Our first goal is for our customers at the end of each job to know that we gave our all to meet their plumbing needs. We want each customer to feel like they could refer us to friends and family because you are our greatest advertisement!

Winterizing Your Plumbing

Now that the weather is getting colder, it’s time to start thinking about those chores around the house you need to get done before the first snowfall.

Cleaning out the gutters, disconnecting your garden hoses… every year we make a list of winterization chores. Is winterizing your home’s plumbing on that list?

If not, it should be!

Winterizing your pipes is a chore, yes, but it’s one that could prevent costly damage to your pipes and water heater if freezing temperatures cause leaks and
breaks. If you own a summer home or cottage and won’t be in the building for the winter, it’s especially important to take these steps.

Read more about winterizing your plumbing on our website!

We believe what this business is really about is serving you, the customer. It's important to us that even in an emergency, we are there for you. Our first goal is for our customers at the end of each job to know that we gave our all to meet their plumbing needs. We want each customer to feel like they could refer us to friends and family because you are our greatest advertisement!

Looking for a New Water Heater?

Are you looking for professional water heater installation in Ann Arbor?

Do you know the difference between a tankless and traditional water heater?

The differences could surprise you!

No one want’s a cold shower. It’s also a pain waiting for the water to heat up so you can wash dishes. If you’re tired of waiting…and waiting… for hot water - you’ve come to the right place! There are many different types of water heaters available. Which one is right for you? If you’re looking for new water heater installation in the Ann Arbor area, tankless water heaters may offer several advantages over traditional water heaters.

Read about the advantages here!

Say Hello to Radiant Floor Heating!

Radiant floor heating can be much nicer than your typical heating system. Heated water is pushed from the water heater through tubing laced beneath the floor. The heat is then distributed through the floor’s surface area and rises up into the room, keeping a consistent temperature that saves you money in the long run.

Read more reasons why you should go tankless here!

First Steps to Take After Your Water Heater Breaks Down

Turn Off Water Heater & Water Supply

Make sure you turn off the power to the water heater and turn off the water supply. You don’t want your heater running while it’s broken.

Drain & Rinse

Connect a hose to the tank (so you don’t make a bigger mess) and open the valve to let the dirty water drain out through the tube. Rinse the water tank with cold water afterwards.

Clean Up

Clean up the area that the water heater damaged. Try to clean ASAP to avoid mold or other problems.

For the remaining steps, go here!

Prevent Future Water Heater Problems!

• Place a water sensor next to your water heater so you know when there’s a leak. Some new sensors can even connect to your phone and send you a notification. Catching the problem early will reduce the potential for massive damage to your home.
• Drain and refill the tank annually. This will keep your water heater in better condition.
• Have your water heater checked by a plumber to help with other issues that can arise.

If you have any questions, concerns, troubles, and/or problems, give us a call at Washtenaw Plumbing & Heating. We also provide services for boiler installation, water piping installation, bathroom renovation, kitchen renovation, and plumbing fixture replacement. (734) 222-3620

Read more here!

Our Bradford-White Expertise

Our experts have installed, maintained, and repaired Bradford-White water heaters for over 20 years. With our knowledge, experience, and quick access to parts, we can make your experience highly efficient and cost-effective.

Washtenaw Plumbing & Heating installs and replaces water heaters in Ann Arbor and in surrounding cities throughout Washtenaw County. Our services also include boiler installation, water piping installation, bathroom and kitchen renovation, and plumbing fixture replacement. If you’re looking for a new water heater or need reliable plumbing installation, send us a text or give us a call at 734-222-3620.

Learn more here!

Benefits of Bradford-White Water Heaters

Bradford-White water heaters are, in our experience, the most reliable water heater brand out there. They’re manufactured in the U.S. and have been named America’s highest quality water heaters by J.D. Power. They’re also locally manufactured--the facility is in Middleville, Michigan.

Since Bradford-White manufactures water heaters close by, parts are readily accessible. So, if you have an emergency or need a replacement ASAP, we can make that happen. With other brands, we have no control over the wait time for parts. Choosing Bradford-White water heaters eases the decision-making process for you and provides less complication for virtually everybody involved.

Learn more here!

About Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters, commonly known as “on-demand” water heaters, use high-powered burners, either gas or electric, to heat water almost instantly and send it to your faucets and showers. These heaters take up less space than tank storage heaters and are typically more energy efficient. They can serve many fixtures at one time, depending on:

-          Rating for gallons per minute

-          Average ground water temperature coming in

Prices varies widely depending on the conditions of installation.

Read more about water heaters here!

About Traditional Water Heaters

Traditional (tank storage) water heaters are the most common type of home water heater in North America. These heaters have an insulated storage tank that can contain 20 to 80 gallons of water. The water is heated inside the tank, then transferred through your plumbing to your faucets. These heaters are powered by natural gas, propane, or electricity. Natural gas models typically use 50% less power than those of the electric variety. Although the initial price can be more expensive for a natural gas model, they are less expensive to use in the long term. Most will still work in the case of a power outage.

Read more about water heaters here!