Category: Water Heating

Billerica, MA Water Heater Replacement

Nov 29, 2022

Billerica, MA Water Heater Replacement

  • Water Heating
MillTown Billerica Water Heater Replacement

When it’s the middle of winter in Billerica, Massachusetts, it’s cold. Really cold. Such cold weather puts a strain on your water heater trying to warm up the frigid water coming from the street. Older water heaters may not be able to keep up, and that’s exactly why this customer called MillTown Plumbing. As a family, they relied on having hot water regularly, but also efficiently. The solution for that was a water heater replacement in their Billerica, MA home. 

Water Heater Inspection

As mentioned above, this family’s water heater wasn’t necessarily broken. However, it wasn’t working as efficiently as they needed it to. Older water heaters have a more difficult time producing hot water as efficiently and effectively for modern standards. So, this Billerica family decided it was time to replace.

Old reliance water heater
Old Reliance water heater

Symptoms of a Failing Water Heater

Water heaters typically last for 10 years or longer. If your water heater is on its way out, you may experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Water leaks
  • Not enough hot water
  • Discolored water
  • Strange sounds
  • Low water pressure

Benefits of a Water Heater Replacement

After installing a replacement water heater, here are some of the benefits you can expect to enjoy!

  • Reliable hot water for the foreseeable future
  • More hot water
  • Quieter operation
  • Lower energy consumption

Water Heater Replacement Process in Billerica, MA

After arriving in Billerica with the proper equipment, MillTown’s qualified plumbers were ready to start the replacement process. 

Old Water Heater Removal

Before removing anything, MillTown’s licensed plumbers turned off the water to the home. They followed this up by draining the water from the water heater tank and connecting plumbing. 

Water heater drain valve
Water heater drain valve
Water pump
Water pump
Draining water filled with sediment
Draining water filled with sediment

The cold water supply pipe was shut off via a valve above the hot water heater. The old water was drained into the yard from the drain valve at the bottom of the water heater. 

Electricity had to be shut off as well, and this water heater’s power supply was turned off via the home’s electrical panel. To disconnect the wiring to the furnace, the wiring had to be cut. Prior to doing so, a test light voltage detector was used to ensure there was no more current running through the wiring.

Preparing the Space for the Replacement Water Heater

The old valve controlling the cold water supply was not operating exactly as MillTown’s plumbers would have liked. This valve was updated and replaced with a new valve for better future operation.

MillTown Plumbing Billerica Water Heater Replacement Cold Water Supply Valve
Cold water supply valve

To make service easier in the future, MillTown’s licensed electrician installed a switch to power the water heater on and off.

Power switch for water heater
Power switch for water heater

New Water Heater Installation

Once the replacement water heater was put into place, the plumbers were ready to start connecting the existing plumbing. Teflon tape and thread sealing paste was used on the threads that connected the home’s plumbing to the water heater.

Water heater fittings with thread sealant
Water heater fittings with thread sealant

To connect the old plumbing, new copper piping was cut to length. Ninety-degree brass fittings allowed the offset joints to be connected. 

Once the plumbing and electrical wiring had been connected, a pipe for the pressure relief valve was routed. It was run towards the floor, no higher than 12” off the ground per code. 

Water Heater Replacement Billerica MA MillTown Plumbing
Water Heater Replacement Billerica MA MillTown Plumbing

After the pressure relief valve was plumbed, the water to the house was turned back on. The cold water supply valve was slowly opened and the pressure relief valve was left open. Once water began coming out of the pressure relief valve, the water heater tank was full.

Final Steps

After the tank had been filled, the faucets were purged of any air that may have gotten trapped inside the plumbing during the replacement process.

To make sure that the water heater was receiving power, the heating units on the side of the tank were checked for power. This was done using the same test light to check for live wires after turning off the water heater in the beginning. 

Billerica Water Heater Replacement Contractor

Here at MillTown, we provide cost-effective, permanent solutions to keep your home in tip-top shape. We commit to your satisfaction and offer high-quality, same-day service. Our technicians are clean, courteous, and respectful of your home. It is why Massachusetts and New Hampshire homeowners have trusted us for over 35 years. Contact us today if you are a local Billerica homeowner interested in water heater replacement, repair, or maintenance!

Water Heater Replacement Reviews

Milltown Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, Drain Cleaning & Electrical
Milltown Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, Drain Cleaning & Electrical
4.6
Based on 729 reviews
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Timothy M. CoyTimothy M. Coy
14:57 20 Sep 22
My review is more for Pedro my tech, than Milltown. Pedro was amazing! He took the time to walk me through not only my issue, but also just general utility care I should know as a homeowner. He was personable, and really took the time. And it was greatly appreciated! I’d have him back for all my plumbing needs! I think nearly $600 was a little steep to replace a hose spigot… But I was willing to pay it because of the service Pedro provided.
Jan YoungJan Young
19:23 09 Aug 22
Less than eight hours after I first called Milltown with a dead water heater and no hot water, I now have a brand new unit working perfectly. The technician, Jonathan, and the supervisor with him were wonderful. I am so grateful that I didn’t have to wait several days, and that these folks were so nice to work with. And the dispatcher, Ralph, was very helpful as well. I am very happy right now!
Lisa SilvaLisa Silva
11:43 25 Jun 22
Our shower started leaking the week before I was having surgery. Milltown sent Darrin out to assess our situation . Darrin recommended we completely replace our shower unit . We agreed. He was able to get things expedited and was in our home working on it two days after my surgery. He was kind, knowledgeable, worked cleanly, and efficiently. His partner James was also very good. Thank you Milltown for sending such a good crew.
J S DoaneJ S Doane
14:18 24 Mar 22
I was already a Milltown customer for both plumbing and water heater services, so I didn’t hesitate to contact them for some needed electrical work at my 100+ year old house. Based on my experience with this company, I expected good service. The service I received from the Electrical Team was OUTSTANDING!. Matthew H was so helpful during the estimating process, and in his recommendations, and patiently answered all of my questions. On the scheduled work days, Matthew and his team always arrived on time, and were as professional and courteous as they could possibly be. This is a two-family home, and the amount of work that they have completed on time, as promised, has been amazing. So organized, and informative every step of the way, and I’m thrilled with the results. The peace-of-mind I now have in knowing that the work was done correctly by licensed professionals like Matthew and his team is so important, especially for electrical services. I highly recommend Matthew H and the whole Milltown electrical crew!March 23rd: For the last package of work, Matt and Dan came back to install all of the new ceiling light fixtures, all NINE of them. Each new fixture was replacing a really old one that was not LED compatible. The installation was fast, and perfect, and they even cleaned up each area as they went!. Service doesn’t get any better than this. Milltown is the best!!
Nicole FoxNicole Fox
22:25 17 Mar 22
Customer service was good. They set up an appointment for the day after my call, even though it was not an emergency request. Technicians Pedro and James were friendly, knowledgeable, and very helpful in explaining the repair and costs. I decided not to wait on getting another quote, since the price was within the range I expected. They had their tools right there. After struggling to fix the clog myself for months, the drain finally flows again! I definitely recommend this company for their professional team and quick response.
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Water heater replacement near me:

Massachusetts

  • Acton, MA
  • Andover, MA
  • Ayer, MA
  • Ballardville, MA
  • Bedford, MA
  • Billerica, MA
  • Boxford, MA
  • Burlington, MA
  • Carlisle, MA
  • Chelmsford, MA
  • Clinton, MA
  • Concord, MA
  • Danvers, MA
  • Devens, MA
  • Dracut, MA
  • Dunstable, MA
  • Georgetown, MA
  • Groton, MA
  • Harvard, MA
  • Haverhill, MA
  • Hudson, MA
  • Lancaster, MA
  • Lawrence, MA
  • Leominster, MA
  • Littleton, MA
  • Lowell, MA
  • Lunenburg, MA
  • Lynnfield, MA
  • Marlborough, MA
  • Methuen, MA
  • Middleton, MA
  • Newburyport, MA
  • North Reading, MA
  • Pepperell, MA
  • Reading, MA
  • Tewksbury, MA
  • Topsfield, MA
  • Topsfield, MA
  • Townsend, MA
  • Tyngsborough, MA
  • Waltham, MA
  • Westford, MA
  • Wilmington, MA
  • Woburn, MA

New Hampshire

  • Amherst, NH
  • Atkinson, NH
  • Auburn, NH
  • Bedford, NH
  • Brookline, NH
  • Chester, NH
  • Danville, NH
  • Hampstead, NH
  • Hollis, NH
  • Litchfield, NH
  • Londonderry, NH
  • Manchester, NH
  • Mason, NH
  • Merrimack, NH
  • Milford, NH
  • Nashua, NH
  • Pelham, NH
  • Plaistow, NH
  • Salem, NH
  • Sandown, NH
  • Windham, NH

 

By Milltown Plumbing

“Why Don’t I Have Hot Water?”

Oct 15, 2021

“Why Don’t I Have Hot Water?”

  • Plumbing
  • Water Heating
hot water

A dreaded question that few consider the answer to until they find themselves high and dry; literally. There are a few common reasons why people find themselves without hot water, and if you are sure you’re up to date on your bills, most of them have to do with your water heater. Here are some common reasons your water heater isn’t working and some quick ways to help resolve your issue. 

No Hot Water 

If you have no hot water whatsoever, that’s cause for some alarm. After all, your water heater’s one and only function is to provide you with hot water. Before you call up a professional, the first thing you’ll want to do is check the pilot light. You can typically locate the light at the base of the water heater. If the light is out, your next move should be to call up a professional plumber to get you back on track. 

You Don’t Have Enough Hot Water

Maybe you have some hot water but not enough to suit your needs. We’ve all taken those nice warm showers that turn into frigid nightmares because the hot water fails on you. In cases like these, there are one of two culprits, the first of which is a broken thermometer. This is a very easy fix for any water heater professional can patch up. The other possibility is that your current heater is unable to match your hot water needs. This can be because your household has grown in size, your hot water usage has increased, or the equipment’s effectiveness has been curbed in old age. In this instance, increasing your tank size may be the optimal solution to getting more the water back.

Your Heater is Leaking 

Of all the issues you could have with your heater, this is probably the worst. A leak is a sure fire sign that your water heater is on its way out and you’re due for a replacement, and heaters can be some expensive pieces of equipment. Sadly there’s not much to be done about a heater that’s so far gone that it sprung a serious leak, and you need to act quickly before the leak turns into a burst that floods your home with gallons of water. The team at Milltown can walk you through the process of finding a new heater to last you for years to come. 

Call MillTown today and schedule your service checkup to see if you need water heater repair  or replacement!

Read What Our Happy Customers Had To Say!

By Milltown Plumbing

Winter Guide to Gas Hot Water Heater Maintenance

Nov 13, 2020

Winter Guide to Gas Hot Water Heater Maintenance

  • Water Heating
Winter Guide to Gas Hot Water Heater Maintenance

Winter Guide to Gas Hot Water Heater Maintenance

The winter season is almost here, which means it’s time to prepare your home for the snow and frigid temperatures. You’ve insulated your plumbing, cleared your gutters, and prepped the standby generator, but there’s one appliance you can’t forget. Just like the furnace, homeowners will rely on their gas water heater during the winter season, but your gas water heater is just as strained from use due to the drop in temperature. Proper maintenance for your gas water heater not only ensures you can enjoy heated water throughout the holiday season, it prevents a plumbing catastrophe. Read on and be prepared with our winter guide to gas hot water heater maintenance.

How You Can Prepare Your Gas Water Heater this Winter

A damaged gas water heater poses a lot of problems beyond the frustration of a lack of hot water. Over time and use, your gas water heater can wear down, especially for homes that run on hard water. Pipes can rust and contaminate your drinking and bathing water, a leak can cause costly water damage, and even worse, your gas water heater tank can explode. Luckily with proper maintenance, you can enjoy your heated water without a plumbing catastrophe. Here’s how you can stay warm and dry this winter season.

  • Flush your gas water heater. Your water heater works the hardest during the winter season, and over time mineral deposits can settle at the bottom of the tank and break down the water heater. Mineral deposits prevent your gas water heater from operating efficiently and it can clog your water lines. That’s why it’s important to flush your gas water heater at least twice a year to clean out the mineral deposits.
  • Check the pressure valve. Your gas water heater has a pressure valve called the TPR valve that releases pressure whenever the tank becomes over pressured. To test your TPR valve, life the trip lever on the valve and release it again. You should see some water exit or hear a faint hint of air exiting the valve. If you don’t see anything exit the valve or water just keeps flowing out, you might need to replace the TPR valve. It’s a good idea to check your gas water heater’s pressure valve every six months to check for clogs or leaks.
  • Check the filters. Some gas water heaters have a filter to catch any problematic debris. Your water heater works best when it’s clear and clean of sediment and debris, which is why it’s important to routinely clean or replace your filters if your gas water heater has one.
  • Inspect the thermostat. Some heating problems aren’t caused by the appliances themselves, but a malfunctioning thermostat. A functional thermostat is important for all your heating appliances, as it prevents your gas water heater from overworking itself to keep up with inconsistent temperature settings.
  • Check the anode rod. The anode rod is another important component of your gas water heater that works to capture any corrosive material in the water. Your gas water heater tank is susceptible to rust and corrosion, which is why it’s important to occasionally check the anode rod. Watch for any calcium deposits, missing parts, or if the rod itself has dissolved to less than half inch thick. Anode rods can last up to 5-10 years, but they can last longer if routinely cleaned.
  • Adjust the temperature. The winter season makes it difficult to be energy efficient, especially when you heavily rely on your heating appliances. Adjusting the temperature setting on your gas water heater, however, can save in energy costs and prevents your gas water heater from overheating.
  • Insulate your tank and pipes. Just like the rest of your plumbing this winter season, a little insulation can go a long way. Covering the tank and attached pipes with an insulated material can help to keep the hot water in the pipes warmer for an extended period of time.
  • Clean out air intake and exhaust vents. Like your furnace, your gas water heater needs proper ventilation in order to function. Snow is a common issue for your gas water heater’s air intake and exhaust vents during the winter season. Snow and other debris can clog inside the vents and cause damages to your gas water heater. Fencing off snow and installing a metal mesh to keep pests out helps to keep your vents clear and water heater running efficiently.

Stay Warm this Winter by Taking Care of Your Gas Water Heater

A home with a damaged gas water heater makes for a miserable holiday season. A poorly maintained gas water heater is more than a nuisance, but a costly plumbing problem. Luckily you can stay warm and dry thing winter with routine maintenance. Proper maintenance however, can only help so much; sometimes you’ll need professional help. A licensed plumber can help guarantee your gas water heater is fully functional and prepared for the incoming winter season. Don’t wait until there’s water in the basement, call a plumber today.

Call Milltown Today If Our Winter Guide To Gas Hot Water Heater Maintenance Revealed Your Water Heater Needs Service!

By Milltown Plumbing