When to DIY and When to Call a Plumber for Water Heater Repair in Joliet

Have you been surprised with a blast of icy water when you took your morning shower? Is hot water from your faucet discolored? If you answer yes to any of these questions, you have a broken water heater. Water heaters are sturdy plumbing appliances but they also get dysfunctional over time. Typically, a water heater’s life span is 10 to 15 years only. Beyond that, expect minor to major problems to happen. It is important to have your water heater repaired immediately. Luckily, there are some steps that you can do on your own. Read on and know when to do it yourself and when to call a plumber for water heater repair in Joliet.

Do-It-Yourself Repair Techniques

• Sudden loss of hot water – Check the water heater’s pilot and relight it.  If the pilot is lighted and the problem is still not fixed, check your water heating unit’s thermostat settings. It could be that the temperature is not just enough to heat the water. If the issue still persists, it’s time to call the experts.
• Replacement of parts – Your water heating unit’s dip tube, sacrificial anode rod, and heating element should be replaced after a certain period. These parts are cheap and you can buy them in your local hardware store. However, if you’re not really adept in tinkering with electrical or gas-operated devices, you should instead call a professional plumber to do parts replacement. The task is a bit risky because it involves electricity or gas.

Leave These to The Pros

• Scales and sediment build-up in the tank – When scales and sediments build up inside the tank, the water heater overheats. Consequentially, it also causes the sacrificial anode rod to corrode more quickly. Removing the sediments is a complicated task and would require specialized tools that only plumbers have.
• Dip tube and heating element replacement – Dip tube replacement requires removal of the cold water pipe. Meanwhile, the heating element uses 220 volt electricity. Do not try doing these yourself if you do not have a background in electrical repairs.
• Repair of gas-powered water heaters – Every appliance that deals with gas should always be left to the pros. One mistake can lead to fire or gas leaks that can harm your family and your home.

Call Plumbers 911

Be it a simple plumbing repair job or a complicated plumbing appliance installation, you should let licensed Joliet plumbers do the job especially if you’re not adept in plumbing and electrical work. Plumbers 911 has a wide network of professional plumbers in most major states including Illinois. For your water heater repair needs, you can call (855) 484-3911 and a reliable plumbing expert will be sent to your place right away.