Will Your Water Heater Stand Up to Holiday Visitors?
There is nothing like being in the middle of a shower with the house full of family and finding the hot water has given out. Or you put your mind at ease wondering if your water heater is up to the task of a busy holiday weekend. Then there is the matter of what to do when the fourth guest makes for the bathroom and is met with cold water.
It is better to put such questions to rest before the holidays are upon you, not in the midst of them. We at Champion Comfort Experts have been putting homeowners in the Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina area at ease since 2004. Should you want an inspection on your water heater prior to your guests’ arrival, (828) 426-6067 is the number to call.
A water heater is under no small strain in a home that is abuzz with holiday activity. Between the cooking, the dishes and laundry, and the showers, it is all happening at once; your water heater may not be of a size or in condition to cope with it. Some forethought will keep you from an unwelcome chill.
Why the Holidays Are Hard on a Water Heater
In the course of an ordinary week one uses hot water in fits and starts: a morning shower, some dishes after the evening meal, perhaps a load of laundry on Saturday. But a full house means it is all back to back. A tank water heater only has so much hot water to give and must be allowed time to make more. Put a few guests in the shower in succession and you will deplete the tank quicker than it can make good on it. An older unit or one not well looked after will only compound the issue.
Signs of Trouble
You will want to see if your water heater is going to hold up under the holiday load before anyone comes to stay. Some indications it might not include:
- Hot water is used up in short order
- Reheating is a long process
- Popping or banging is audible from the tank
- Rusty water with a metallic odour
- Leaks or dampness at the base of the unit
- Inconsistent temperatures
- The unit is past its 10 or 12 year mark
Any of these would warrant an inspection. All too often we see homeowners let the water heater go until it is a total loss, usually at the most inopportune time.
Getting Ready for Guests
An outright replacement is not always called for. These measures can make all the difference:
- Put off the dishwasher to off-peak hours
- Be sure to space out the laundry and showers
- See to any leaks or corrosion
- Set the temperature to 120 degrees or so
- If the unit is of a certain age, have a pro look it over
- Do a flush of the tank to remove sediment
Sediment flushing is something people tend to forget. Minerals will collect in the bottom of the tank and occupy room meant for hot water, which puts more demand on the heater and leaves less for your guests.
Is an Upgrade in Order?
When a water heater is coming to the end of its run, the holidays present an occasion to consider a new one. You could opt for a bigger tank or a tankless model for a more reliable supply. With a tankless system the water is heated as needed so running out in the course of consecutive showers is not a concern. What is right for you will come down to budget and the size of your household. Our team will help you make the decision. We are fully licensed and insured with an A+ from the BBB.
What Homeowners Find with Champion Comfort Experts
Our service extends to Waynesville, Brevard, Fletcher, Flat Rock and environs. We do plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, so whatever turns up with your water heater or elsewhere in the house we can put right. And we are here around the clock, important when trouble rears its head on a holiday weekend.
We stand behind our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our 4.9 star rating on over 3,000 Google reviews is testament to the kind of service we put forward.
Make the call to us at (828) 426-6067 and we will have your home in order for your visitors, rather than wait to discover your water heater has you at a disadvantage.
