Have a Plumbing Emergency? Call or Text 719-491-8104
7:30a - 4:00p
Monday - Friday
Jolly
Plumbing
& Heating
Locally Owned & Operated since 1955
Water Heater Services
Water heaters are, structurally, like the heart of the house. They work, day and night, non-stop to heat and distribute water throughout all the pipes in your house, so that you can almost instantly wash your hands in warm water. The water heater is an often-overlooked essential part of the home. We get so used to just having hot water to wash the dishes or do laundry that sometimes we don’t realize how hard our water heaters are working to provide that for us. Therefore, it’s important to know about Colorado Springs water heater repair and maintenance.
Unfortunately, unless you are a plumber, water heater repairs are best left to the professionals. It’s recommended to have annual inspections of your Colorado Springs water heater, carried out by a professional to make sure everything is running correctly and to potentially catch a problem before it becomes major. A minor repair can be a money saver if caught early, compared to a major repair or replacement later
Whether you need a new water heater or have a leaking water tank, Jolly Plumbing can handle any job, any size. We service both residential water heaters as well as commercial water heaters, which means you get the same great customer service whether you are a Colorado Springs homeowner or a local business that requires more water capacity to serve your customers.
Our Water Heating Services
Have a new construction project that needs a water heater installed? Have you purchased a water heater and need professional installation? Our experienced Colorado Springs water heater service technicians near you can help.
Our knowledgeable service members are educated on every type of water heater and can professionally install the heater that your building needs. When choosing a type of water heater, you have to be aware of how much water your building needs to function on a day-to-day basis. If you have a three-story home with 5 people, you’ll need a larger water tank than a ranch style home with 2 people. We can help you make an educated water heater purchase. In particular, we specialize in gas water heaters, electric water heaters, and tankless water heaters.
​Colorado Springs Water Heater Replacement
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The lifespan of a water heater is generally around 8-12 years. The loose rule when it comes to whether you should repair or replace your water heater is the age. If it’s under 8 years old a repair is most often beneficial. If it’s older than 8 years, the better option is most likely replacement. A lot of the decision comes down to warranty and whether it’s covered or not. A large repair might not be worth the money spent in the grand comparison of life left in the water heater itself. When you call your professional Colorado Springs water heater installation service members, make sure you have your water heater serial number and model number readily available. This will help determine the age and warranty of your specific water heater.
​
If you have an old and outdated water heater in your home, you could be putting your house at serious risk. The same goes for a commercial water heater. There are several indicators when your water heater needs to be replaced. Taking a few minutes to analyze your water heater performance can help you determine if it is time for replacement. Being proactive now can help eliminate inconvenience or unforeseen damage if your tank should suddenly go out.​​​​​​​​
​What are the signs that an old water heater is ready to be replaced?
1.
Age
A gas water heater is expected to last 10-12 years, while an electric model tends to last 10-15 years. If your heater is getting close to its life expectancy, it may be prudent to change it before it goes out or starts leaking.
2.
Water
Do you get tinted water when you open up the hot water tap?
Rust-colored hot water is an indication of a bad tank.
3.
Temperature
If your hot water is not as hot or if you run out of hot water under normal conditions, it may be time for a new water heater.
4.
Moisture
Moisture around the base may signal a slow leak. If condensation is building up at an abnormal rate, this is not normal, and you should call in a professional right away.
5.
Cold Water
An ice-cold shower first thing in the morning is a pretty good sign that something is wrong!
6.
Puddles
A flood in the area around the water heater is a sure sign that you need a new one.
Signs That Your Water Heater Might Need Repair
If your water heater is having issues, it likely has been showing you symptoms that could help diagnose what’s wrong with it and whether it can be repaired, or whether you should go the replacement route. Here are some signs our Colorado Springs water heater technicians look for:
-
Leaking water around the tank.
-
Rust-colored water or sediment in the water.
-
The pilot light won’t light or stay lit.
-
Hot water runs out too fast.
-
Water doesn’t heat up or gets too hot.
-
Banging in the pipes.
-
Bad taste or smell in the water.
-
Noises coming from the water heater.
Water Heater Repairs
No matter what issue you’re facing with your water heater, the first step is to determine if it can be repaired. A leaking water heater could point to problems with the pressure relief valve or the drain valve. Rust-colored water may indicate rust inside the tank. If the water looks murky or contains sediment, it might be time to flush the tank. A flickering pilot light can be caused by several issues, including a faulty thermocouple.​
​
Water temperature issues could be caused by sediment buildup, a worn-out heating element, or other factors. A banging sound in the pipes might indicate pressure building up in the tank. If you notice a bad smell or taste in the water, a tank flush could help resolve it. Noises coming from the tank are often due to the heating elements. If you're experiencing any problems with your water heater, it’s important to call Jolly Plumbing to accurately diagnose the issue and get it fixed.
Water Heater Maintenance
Regular maintenance on your water heater is always a good idea and could save you hundreds of dollars in the future. By having Jolly Plumbing regularly inspect and maintain your water heater, you could prolong its life, avoid major damage, and get minor repairs done fast. Schedule professional, regular maintenance on your water tank with Jolly Plumbing today.
​Common Water Heater Questions
What Type of Water Heater Is Best?
​
In the past, the only consideration that homeowners had when it came to water heaters was whether or not to use a gas or an electric water heater. Today, there are several additional options to choose from. While gas and electric are still an important distinction as you don’t want to purchase the wrong one for your home’s setup unless you’re planning on changing how it’s hooked up in your home, you’ll be surprised by the new options available. There are the traditional tank heaters, tankless options, and hybrid options.
​
The type of water heater that’s best for you depends on your home, living situation, and budget. Tankless water heaters are a popular option as rather than heating a set amount of water that can run out, you’ll have hot water on demand. A tankless heater will heat the water as you turn on the hot water faucet meaning you’ll have an endless supply. Hybrid water heaters are another option and are also called heat pump water heaters. These function by using existing heat to warm up the water. Think of it as a reverse air conditioner. It pulls in hot air to warm up the water in the tank while releasing the cooled air.
It can be hard to decide what water heater is the best for your needs. It can be helpful to speak with a professional about these options and how they will work for your particular needs.
What are Some Safety Tips for a Leaking Water Heater?
​
If the leak is major:
​
-
Shut off fuel supply
-
Shut off cold water supply to the water heater
-
Open all hot water faucets in your home
-
Attach hose to drain valve at the bottom of water heater and drain unit of all water
How Long are Water Heaters Supposed to Last?
​
​The lifespan of any water heater is influenced by how much it's maintained in accordance with the included instructions.
If the water heater is properly installed and maintained, it can last an average of 8 - 14 years before it needs to be replaced.
What Are the Signs of a Water Heater Going Bad?
​
It can be easy to overlook your aging water heater as long as it’s still delivering hot water to you and your family. However, there may be some signs that your water heater is starting to go bad that you should be looking for to prevent you from having a hot water emergency on your hand.
​
-
Take some time and ensure that your water heater doesn’t have any leaks. Leaking water can signify that it’s time for a new one.
-
Another sign is weird noises. If you hear sounds that aren’t normal around your water tank or when you run the hot water, there’s a good chance that you need to have your water heater repaired or replaced.
-
You notice that your water is discolored when it comes out of the faucet. There’s a good chance that your water heater either needs to be drained for maintenance or that it’s time for a replacement when this occurs.
-
Running out of hot water faster than expected. Your water heater may not be heating the water in the tank as well as it did in the past.
-
The temperature of your hot water fluctuates. It goes hot and cold and back to hot again. Yet another sign that your aging water heater can’t keep up with your home’s hot water demands.