Go Back

Posted on September 22, 2011 by

Naperville, IL Water Heater ServicesWater Heater Tips

Water Heater Tips From Naperville’s Own Jim Wagner Plumbing, Inc.

Water heater tips from Naperville’s IL own Jim Wagner Plumbing, Inc.  Every holiday season millions upon millions of people resolve to lose weight, exercise more or just generally take better care of themselves. While those are great personal goals, I can’t help but wonder why more people don’t resolve to take better care of their homes.

This idea came to me as I was being flooded with emergency water heater replacement calls in Naperville, IL. during the holidays. All sorts of Naperville, IL residents had gotten all ready to celebrate the New Year, when BAM! They were shocked to be met with ice-cold water. And each one of these now frigid customers asked me the same question, “Why does this always happen around the holidays?”

After I joke that if they left their favorite Naperville, IL plumber cookies and milk, this whole situation could have been avoided, I explain the cold, hard facts of the mysterious water heater issues in Naperville IL.

Your water heater sole purpose is to furnish a home with nice, hot water. Water heaters heat up the water piped into your home and disperses it as you use the shower, dishwasher, laundry machine, etc. It sounds simple, so why do they always go out at the worst time ever – when it’s really cold out?

Well, there are a few things to blame; and none of them are related to a lack of cookies:

  • It’s cold outside which means your source of water, be it the City of Naperville or a well, is cold. Your water heater has to work harder to supply you and your family with hot water. It’s like running 2 miles more than you usually do.
  • The cold water is denser, so when it’s heated it creates what’s called “thermal expansion.” Thermal expansion creates more pressure in the water heater. It’s like running 2 miles more than you usually do, and then having to run uphill.
  • Finally, water heaters are typically located in a basement in Naperville IL. or garage; two places known to be cold. This means the water sitting in the heater cools off quicker, requiring the water heater to heat more often to keep up with your hot water needs. It’s like running 2 miles more than you usually do, and then having to run uphill in the freezing cold… that puts a little stress on your body; imagine your water heater!

Unfortunately here in Naperville, IL the cold weather cannot be avoided, but you can take precautions to avoid a water heater holiday disaster. Periodically check your water heater for leaks and other signs of stress. If something doesn’t seem right, be sure to call Jim Wagner Plumbing, Inc., and schedule a service call. We’ll be happy to help!