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Most of us don’t notice our water heaters except when there’s an emergency. They’re a common sight in homes throughout Bergen County, NJ, but they’re usually tucked away in the basement or garage, quietly doing their jobs while get on with our lives. That means that trouble can often catch homeowners by surprise. You can help prepare for problems with your water heater by scheduling regular maintenance sessions, and by looking out for signs of trouble when they appear. Here’s a quick list of 3 of them to show you what we mean.

1)    STRANGE NOISES

Detritus can build up in the bottom of your tank, keeping the burners below from heating the water as effectively as they should. A good maintenance session can flush out that build-up, but if it’s left unattended, it can form weird formations that cause the water to gurgle and bubble through it. Other strange noises can include dripping from leaks and hissing through breaches in the pipes.

2)    DISCOLORED WATER

When the anode rod in your water heater is used up, it needs to be replaced. Otherwise, the sides of your water heater will start to rust. This can lead to discolored water appearing in your faucets and sinks, especially when you turn the hot water on. If your water heater is more than 15 years old or so, and the discolored water appears in conjunction with other symptoms, it may be time to replace it.

3)    LEAKS

A leak is a serious problem with your water heater, and usually indicates that it needs to be replaced. Leaks can appear anywhere, and in some cases – such as when they come from a vale or a pipe leading away from the water heater – they can be corrected by simply replacing the damaged part instead of the whole water heater.

If you spot these signs of trouble, then call BZ Dependable right away for expert diagnosis and repair!

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tankless water heater

Teaneck tankless water heaters offer a number of advantages over traditional tanked models. They provide water on demand instead of storing it in a tank, which means that the hot water arrives instantly and never runs out. They cost less to operate than tanked models do, and they take up a great deal less space to boot.

But like any other appliance, tankless water heaters run into trouble from time to time, and Bergen County, NJ residents should learn to look out for the telltale signs that something isn’t quite right. Here are 3 common problems with tankless water heaters that owners should look out for. Or, if you simply want fast, professional plumbing help, call now for water heater repair in Teaneck and Bergen County.

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1.     Overheating Water

One of the principle selling points of a tankless system is that it provides hot water instantly. That creates a lot of hot exhaust that needs to be vented from the system or else it will cause an overload. If the venting is blocked or the heating mechanism is malfunctioning, you’re going to end up with an overload.

2.     Corrosion

You don’t see nearly as much corrosion in tankless water heaters as you do in tanked models, since there’s no sitting water involved in a tankless system. However, condensation can be diverted onto components prone to corrosion, while a misaligned heat exchanger can do much the same. Simply replacing the corroded part won’t solve the problem. The technician needs to pinpoint the source of the corrosion and fix it.

3.     Build-Up

Hard water can cause problems to tankless water heaters over time: leaving a crusty white residue that interferes with its ability to do its job. Regular cleanings from a trained professional can keep the build-up to a minimum, but you may want to look into a water filtration system for your house to drop the hard water down.

Signs You Have a Tankless Water Heater Issue

While overheating, corrosion, and build-up are the most common tankless water heater problems, here are some signs to look for that could indicate these issues to you.

  • A lack of hot water. This option is fairly obvious, but bears repeating. It can sometimes sneak up on you, as the weather gradually loses its heat until you suddenly realize that it’s a lot cooler than it should be. It could be caused by a clog in the fuel line or an electrical disconnection if your system runs its heater with electricity. It could also be a problem with the heating coil itself.
  • Lower water pressure. Low water pressure can stem from a problem elsewhere in your system. But hard water deposits and other build-up in your tankless heater can be the culprit. You should arrange to have such deposits removed as part of an annual maintenance session
  • Puddles near the system. Puddles indicate a leak and leaks can be big trouble, since they can damage key components in the water heater itself. Fortunately, if you can spot them early enough, they can usually be repaired fairly easily.
  • Strange noises. Strange noises can include creaks, groans, hissing noises and anything else you don’t recognize as part of your system’snormal operations. If you hear them, turn off your system at once and call in a repair service.

For solutions to tankless hot water heater problems in Teaneck, the plumbing and heating professionals at BZ Dependable are ready to help! Contact us for water heater repair, water heater installation, and help choosing the right water heater for your home.

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Tankless water heaters have gained tremendous popularity over the last few years, but being popular doesn’t mean a tankless water heater is the best fit for every home. If you’ve been engaging in the tank vs. tankless water heater debate around your Oradell home, the experts at BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating, Inc., are here to help. Deciding which type of water heater for you will depend on some factors, but it’s always advisable to also work with an expert during the process of choosing. As such, if you are ready for a new water heater, call us today and schedule an appointment.

TANKLESS WATER HEATER

One of the most-oft asked questions about tankless water heaters is: how do they provide hot water without a tank? The answer is relatively simple: at the core of tankless water heaters is a heat exchanger. When you open a hot water tap, the cold water valve attached to your tankless heater also opens and cold water flows into the heat exchanger. Using natural gas or electricity, the heat exchanger warms up coils, then transfers this heat to the water. Once the water reaches the right temperature, it flows to your open hot water tap. While the process sounds involved, it really only takes a few second. One thing to keep in mind regarding tankless water heaters is that the initial costs are typically higher than those of a storage tank hot water heater.

BENEFITS OF TANKLESS WATER HEATERS

  • Very energy efficient
  • Provide endless hot water
  • Have a long lifespan (about 20 years)

STORAGE TANK WATER HEATERS

Storage tank water heaters have been around for years and are usually what homeowners picture when the words “hot water heater” are uttered. Today’s tank water heaters are the most efficient they’ve ever been, and with new regulations coming into effect in April 2015, their energy efficiency is going to increase even more. Storage tank water heaters use gas or electricity to heat water; the hot water rises to the top of the tank for use while the cool water stays at the bottom. When hot water from the top is used, the burner cycles on and heats more water as needed. One of the drawbacks of storage tank water heaters is that they can lose energy through standby heat loss, something the new mandates are addressing.

BENEFITS OF TANK WATER HEATERS

  • Lower initial costs
  • Wide variety of sizes
  • Easier to install

Still have questions about which type of water tank is best for your home in Oradell? Call the specialists at BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating, Inc., today!

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Your business needs to have hot water in order to operate, so when it comes to the installation of your commercial water heater in Teaneck, NJ, do you really want to risk using an amateur for the job? You also want to make sure that your commercial water heater is big enough to handle your business’s daily hot water needs while also staying as energy efficient as possible. Using a trained commercial professional, like the ones at BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating, Inc., can help you find the right commercial water heater for your business, and install, maintain and repair it as necessary. Call us today and speak to one of our commercial water heater experts!

TYPES OF WATER HEATERS

In today’s market, there are a number of different types of water heaters you can install, including different types fuels. So, one of the first things you want to determine with your hot water specialist is what fuel type is best to use for your commercial water heater. The most common fuels used are natural gas and electric (you can also include propane in there), but some of this will depend on what you have easy access to – not all properties can access natural gas. Once you determine the fuel type you are going to use, you have a choice as to use a tank or tankless water heater. There are positives and negatives to both, and all pros and cons should be reviewed with your hot water heater specialist before making a decision. Some benefits of a tank water heater include lower initial costs and easy installation; benefits of a tankless water heater include excellent energy efficiency and endless hot water. Negatives of a tank water heater include standby heat loss, which can be significant, and more costly operation; for a tankless water heater, installation can be more complicated, particularly for gas-powered tankless systems.

ALWAYS WORK WITH AN EXPERT

Working with a trained expert means you’ll be working with someone who can help you analyze both initial and future costs, and which system(s) can best meet your commercial needs.

The commercial experts at BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating, Inc., are here to help with your commercial water heater installation in Teaneck, so call us today!

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Typically water and metal are not good combinations, but they are necessary for certain components like your home’s water heater. Rust is always a concern with water heaters which is why precautions are taken during manufacturing to help significantly reduce the chances of rust developing inside your water tank. One way manufacturers do this is by insulating the storage tank; another is by installing an anode rod. Anode rods are used for a number of things, but specific to water heaters, they are very important in curbing the development of rust inside your tank.

What Is an Anode Rod?

An anode rod, also known as sacrificial anode or sacrificial rod, is made of a highly active metal, usually magnesium or aluminum; the core of the anode rod is steel. The reason for the rod is made of highly active metals is that these metals attract the electrolytes that begin and are part of the corrosion process. By attracting these electrolytes, the other metal parts inside the tank can be prevented from developing rust.

Anode Placement

Anodes screw into the top of the water tank and hang down. The number of anodes a tank will have depends on the type of tank it is and the warranty on the tank. Residential tanks typically come with either a 6- or 12-year warranty; a 6-year warranty means the storage tank has a single anode rod and a 12-year warranty means there are two anode rods. Commercial water heaters can have anywhere from one to five anode rods depending on size.

Average Lifespan

The average lifespan of an anode rod is typically between 6-8 years, but this can depend on a few factors:

  • The quality of the water
  • Amount tank is used
  • Temperature of the stored water
  • Quality of the storage tank

An increase of sodium can accelerate the corrosion of the anode rod, so it’s important to monitor any water softening.

Replacing Anode Rods

Anode rods can, and should, be replaced, but only by trained experts. Allowing a corroded anode rod to stay inside your water tank can put your water heater tank at risk for corrosion.

If you are concerned about the state of your water heater’s anode rod, call BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating, Inc., today and schedule water heater repair for your Tenafly home.

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A water heater is essential for a range of tasks from laundry to showering to washing your hands. When you need a new water heater, you want a system that will last for years to come and won’t quit during the most important daily activities. A dependable type of water heater that is growing in popularity available today is the tankless water heater, one that does not store water in a tank for later use, like typical units. But are tankless water heaters right for every home? We’ll take a look at both tank and tankless units so that you can decide for yourself which is the best option for your particular needs.

bogota plumber performing tankless water heater installation

Storage Tank Water Heaters

Storage tank water heaters are the most common type used in homes today. These have large tanks which keep water heated at all times so that you have access to it at any point in the day. A long tube leads to the bottom of the unit, where there is either a gas burner underneath or an electric heating element inside of the tank. Thanks to the heat rising principle, hot water rises over any cold water in the tank and is sucked up through a small pipe at the top. While these units are generally less costly than tankless units, they may do a poor job of heating large volumes of water, which is why many people decide to go tankless.

Tankless Water Heaters

Instead of storing water throughout the day, tankless water heaters contain a computer that directs the unit to turn on whenever a hot water tap is activated in the home. A tankless water heater runs on electricity or gas to activate a high powered heat exchanger, which heats water as soon as it passes by.

Some Benefits

Because they don’t use energy throughout the day, tankless units will save some energy over storage tank water heaters—particularly if your previous storage tank unit was electric, as electricity costs more to consume. Tankless models also tend to have longer lifespans, as they are less likely to be victims of rust and corrosion too early on since they do not continuously store water. In some homes, you may need multiple units to ensure top performance. For more benefit of tankless water heaters visit out blog post “3 Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters.”

For more information about tankless water heaters, call the experts at BZ Dependable Plumbing & Heating today!

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