If it has been some time since your water heater was installed and you don’t have it regularly serviced, it may abruptly stop working one day. To avoid such as scenario, it is important to look out for the following signs:

A Very Old Water Heater

On average, water heaters will last for eight to 12 years. If you have had yours for a long time, it would be wise to look into replacing it before it stops working. If you don’t know how old yours is, check the manufacturer’s label on the side. You can also find help with this on the manufacture’s website or the International Association of Home Inspectors website where you will find a water heater dating chart.

Higher Energy Bills

An older water heater will not be energy efficient. It will definitely take more energy to run it. Also, newer models will be made with technology that makes the most of materials and methods that use minimal energy such as those that can be digitally controlled.

Not Enough Hot Water

Perhaps you aren’t enjoying your baths or showers as much as before because the water isn’t hot enough or there isn’t enough of it. This could be because your water heater is full of sediment. In hard water areas, this could be the calcium, magnesium and other minerals in it. The sediment could also be from the limescale that forms on the walls of the tank and the burner. This layer could compromise how hot the water gets and how much hot water you get.

Rust-Coloured Water

If you notice that your water looks dirty or has a rust-coloured colour, again, an old water heater could be the culprit. It could be that the heater has rust which could eventually wear out and start leaking.

You can confirm if the problem is being caused by the heater by draining a number of five-gallon buckets of hot water through it. If you are still seeing rust when you pour the third bucket, you can safely conclude that the problem is the water heater. If you don’t see rust, then the problem might be with galvanized piping that is rusted rather than the water heater. That is still a problem you will need to get looked at by a water heater repair and installation company.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Taking preventative measures is always best. Prevent problems with your heater by having a water heater repair and installation expert come and check yours. They will determine if it needs to be replaced or repaired. If a replacement is needed, you will be advised on the best brands. Call your water heater repair and installation company before it becomes an emergency service. Call Westhills Plumbing & Heating today!

Choosing the right water heater for your needs will ensure you have plenty of hot water for cooking, cleaning, washing, and more. Technological advances mean there are many types of energy-efficient water heaters to choose from. The following are different systems that the team at Westhills Plumbing & Heating can install in your Calgary home.

Conventional Water Heater

Standard storage tank water heaters use either gas or electricity to heat water to a pre-set temperature that you can adjust via your thermostat. Once heated, the water is deposited within the storage tank where it is kept hot and ready to go. Most residential systems are between 36-56 gallons.

Tankless Water Heater

Tankless systems are also known as “on-demand” systems. These can be electric or fueled by natural gas. The water is heated as it flows into the unit’s pipes, which means that this type of system will deliver a virtually unlimited amount of hot water.

Solar Water Heater

Solar systems operate by circulating water through solar collectors where it absorbs solar radiation; this process transfers the thermal energy to the water, thus heating it up. Once heated, the water is transferred to a storage tank for use. These well-insulated systems can be utilized year-round and can be paired with a backup unit to ensure you have sufficient hot water after dark.

Condensing Water Heater

Condensing systems use a fan to push air and fuel into a combustion chamber where the hot gasses are then forced through a heat exchanger within the water tank. Condensing water heaters are incredibly efficient and are available in both tank and tankless variations.

Heat Pump Water Heater

Heat pump water heaters use a compressor to collect heat from the surrounding air. This heat is transferred to the storage tank where it heats the water. This is an efficient, effective operation that can provide reliable hot water year-round. It is our pleasure to tell you more about these water heater options and to help you determine the best system for your needs. We encourage you to contact us at Westhills Plumbing & Heating to speak with our certified HVAC specialists about Calgary water heater installation.

Cleaning a sewer line is important for three main reasons: safety, efficiency and capacity. Sewer systems may be located above or underground. They are typically placed parallel to rows of houses or commercial buildings. The system includes a series of pipes, clean-outs, culverts, lift stations, manholes, traps, siphons and other systems. These and other structures do the combined work of collecting the wastewater in an area and moving it into a treatment plant or a disposal system. These structures are engineered to work with gravity to move wastewater away from houses and commercial buildings.

Blockages and Stoppages

If the different structures that make up a sewer system are working well, everything will keep moving smoothly. There is definitely a problem when wastewater stops moving away. Stoppages are caused by obstructions in the pipe or a defect like a leak or joint failure in a pipe.

Stoppage causes wastewater and any debris in it to back up instead of drain away. Eventually, it overflows and causes a blockage. This is a state that poses a threat to human health whether the waste is backing up into a home or commercial space.

Keeping Your Sewer Line

As the owner of a home or commercial building, it is your responsibility to prevent blockages or stoppages. The best way to do this is by taking the preventative measure of routine inspection and cleaning of your sewer line. A sewer line cleaning service can do this for you.

How Sewer Lines Are Cleaned

Sewer line cleaning services companies use machinery to safely and efficiently clean sewer lines. The machinery has high-pressure water jetting and a high-flow vacuum source. This type of machine is known as a combination sewer cleaner. It is the best because it cleans and unblocks at the same time. These two parts work in combination to scrub pipe lines clean and to vacuum up any debris causing stoppage and blockage. If there is any, it is removed and normal sewer flow is restored.

Even when there is no stoppage or blockage, there is still a need to clean sewer lines periodically. This is because dirt never stops accumulating over time. It may not be visible, but there is always debris such as leaves, sand and gravel that is carried by stormwater. When enough of it has accumulated, then the blockage is seen.

Keep Your Line Clean

It is at the least unpleasant and at worst unsanitary and a health hazard to see wastewater and debris from the sewer back up to your space instead of flowing away. Engage a sewer line cleaning service to start doing periodic checks and cleaning and it is a problem you will not have to deal with. Westhills Plumbing & Heating is here to help; give us a call today for a quote on our sewage line cleaning services.