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There are several common signs that your hot water tank may stop working. Consider calling a water heater services company to take a look at and repair or replace your unit if: 

1. Your unit is getting old. The average water heater will last 8 to 10 years. 
2. Your water smells or is discoloured. For example, if the water looks rusty the unit may be corroding. 
3. You hear loud noises coming from your hot water heater. Loud popping or crackling sounds can mean sediment has built up in the tank.
4. Your tank is leaking or you notice water around the water heater.
5. Your hot water tank no longer provides enough hot water.
6. The water pressure has gone down and is not sufficient.

In colder climates, water inside the pipes can freeze. When water freezes, it expands, which can cause the pipe to crack or burst. This is especially common if the pipes are not properly insulated or if there are sudden drops in temperature.

The difference between a boiler and a hot water tank has to do with the way in which each uses the hot water that it produces.

Both boilers and hot water tanks take cool water, heat this water and then distribute it throughout a home via pipes. However, the water that is heated by a boiler is distributed throughout the home via pipes, radiators and radiant in-floor systems in order to heat it – to keep the rooms, floors, garage, etc. comfortable and warm.

On the other hand, a hot water tank heats water that is used for cooking and cleaning purposes – for showers, dishwashing, laundry, etc.

The amount of time it takes to get hot water from a new water heater depends on the size and type of hot water heater. A properly and professionally installed gas hot water heater will provide hot water most quickly. An average 40-gallon heater will only take about 30 to 40 minutes to provide heat water, while you can expect hot water from a larger tank (80-gallons) in approximately 60 to 70 minutes. Electric hot water tanks, on the other hand, will take a little longer. For an average 40-gallon electric heater it will take about 60 to 80 minutes and for an 80-gallon tank about 2 hours.

There are several preventive measures you can take:

• Insulate your pipes, especially those in unheated areas like basements, garages, and crawl spaces.
• Keep your home’s thermostat set to a consistent temperature, even at night and when you’re away.
• Allow faucets to drip slightly during extremely cold spells to keep water flowing.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

Not all plumbing issues require immediate attention. However, there are several common problems that should be addressed as quickly as possible. Issues that count as a plumbing emergency including burst pipes, frozen pipes, clogged toilets, leaky faucets, and no hot water. Although some of these issues can be addressed quickly by the homeowner, others may require the immediate attention of a qualified professional plumber. If you believe you have a plumbing emergency, there are several emergency plumbers in Edmonton that you can contact. When seeking emergency plumbing services, be sure to ask the plumber if you will be paying a premium price for their emergency services. Professional plumbing companies, like ProSolutions Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, will provide upfront pricing and will not charge premium emergency prices.

You can’t run out of hot water with tankless water heaters – unless, of course, the power supply is off or goes out. However, a tankless water heater can have trouble keeping up with demand if too many things require hot water all at once. For example, if several appliances are operating at the same time (the dishwasher, the laundry machine, etc.), and you go to have a hot shower, you may find that your tankless unit isn’t capable of providing enough hot water. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you install a tankless water heater that has a large enough capacity to handle your demand for hot water.

Sump pumps need annual maintenance. Like other appliances in your home, a sump pump should be maintained and serviced on a yearly basis. In some cases, more maintenance may be required. It is important to stay on top of sump pump maintenance in order to prevent a disaster. Oftentimes, homeowners will not notice that their sump pump isn’t working until it’s too late. Suddenly, when the sump pump is required, the homeowner discovers that it isn’t working as it should be. Many professional plumbing contractors provide Service Partner Plans that can help you properly maintain your appliances. An annual maintenance plan like this will ensure that your sump pump is always in top working condition.