plumber Myrtle Beach - Blue Ribbon Plumbing

There is always the possibility that your water heater might leak. The good news is that most water heater leaks are small and can be fixed quickly.

The best part?

To make the process even simpler, there are several things you can do prior to calling a plumber.

WHY DOES MY WATER HEATER BREAK?

Water heater leaks are most commonly caused by:

Broken drain valves can cause water to leak from the bottom of your tank. You can easily fix them by replacing the damaged drain valve.

Corrosion: The buildup of sediment can cause cracking and corrosion in the tank’s bottom. It’s time to replace your water heater when this happens.

Leakage can be caused by loose water line connections. The problem can be corrected by replacing or tightening the worn water lines.

Broken pressure/temperature valves: These valves, as their name implies, monitor and regulate water heaters’ temperature and pressure. They can break and cause water leakage from the tank’s sides.

Water heater leaks can be caused by many other factors. A professional plumber in Myrtle Beach is the best way to find out what is causing your water heater to leak.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A WATER HEATER LEAK?

These are the steps to fix water heater leaks:

If you discover a hot water leak, you must immediately cut off the power. Turn off the power source that is causing the hot water leakage

Locate your gas water heater thermostat. There should be a small knob with three settings: OFF, ON, and PILOT. To turn off the gas, switch it to OFF/PILOT. This will make the heater safe for use.

Electric water heater: Look at your breaker panel for the breaker marked “water heater”. To turn off the unit’s power, switch it off.

Turn off the water supply. Locate the cold water connection to the heater and turn it off. The line should have a valve. Turn it to the right until the valve closes. This will shut off the water supply and allow you to move on to the next stage.

Drain your water tank: This is essential if you have a tank water heater. This is also the most difficult step. Drain your water heater tank

Attach a garden hose or a drain valve to the bottom of your water heater.

Then, run the hose to a sump pit or floor drain.

Once the hose is in place, you can open the valve. On older hot water heaters this might look like an ordinary tap; on newer systems, there’s a drain stem that accepts a screwdriver.

NOTE: If you open the drain valve, the water may not flow properly or stop flowing. This is due to a vacuum inside the water heater.

Open any hot water tap in your house to break the vacuum. This will allow air to enter the tank, allowing it to drain faster. The whole tank should drain within an hour after you have established a good flow.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC now if you’re looking for a reliable plumber to help you with your water heater problems.

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Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733

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Serving all of Horry County including Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Little River, Murrells Inlet/Garden City, Surfside Beach, Carolina Forest/Forestbrook, Conway/Aynor

Backflow Testing and Repair Tips

A plumbing backflow situation can pose health risks

It is important to be aware of the dangers associated with a backflow and how it can occur before you dive into what they mean for your health. Backflow is when fluid reverses its flow direction. This is because plumbing systems are interconnected, and contaminated water can flow back to the house. This is one of the many health hazards of a backflow.

Backflow from the city water supply can cause problems as additional chemicals and waste can leach into the water.

Backflow testing that is not done can expose you to many health risks, including the following:

Drinking water can be contaminated by chemicals and waste.

When you wash your hands or take a shower, chemicals in the water can cause skin to burn.

Potential fire hazards can be created by propane gas and other gases entering the water mains.

Water supply can be contaminated by bacteria and germs that can spread diseases.

How to Prevent Backflow

A change in pressure is the most common cause of backflow. Backflow is when the downstream pressure of non potable water (not safe to drink) exceeds the pressure at the main water source. A plumber in Myrtle Beach will inspect the relief and gate valves of the plumbing system to determine if there is backflow.

To check for irregularities or changes in water flow, they will close the water valves. Backflow prevention devices can be installed for homeowners if they suspect that there has been backflow. The device is installed on the home’s water pipes, and it forces water to flow in only one direction.

What to do if Backflow occurs

The bathroom and kitchen are the most vulnerable to backflow. These rooms have a lot of plumbing devices, including faucets, showerheads and garbage disposals.

They are therefore susceptible to backflow because they have many cross-connections that transport water. Backflow can be prevented by homeowners turning off water to their homes immediately.

Backflow is a serious plumbing emergency. A professional in plumbing in Myrtle Beach should be called immediately to test the water supply and find a solution.

Call Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC now and let us take care of all your plumbing problems.

Like our Facebook page for more great info about your plumbing system.

Blue Ribbon Plumbing LLC
4201 Carolina Exchange Drive Suite 202
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 267-9733