Do you ever find yourself running out of hot water in the middle of a shower? Or, maybe you’re washing dishes and your hot water suddenly turns cold. No matter what’s causing it, a water heater running out of hot water can be incredibly frustrating. Douglas Cooling & Heating explains some common reasons for experiencing sudden, insufficient hot water in the home. Keep reading to find out more about potential issues that could be causing your water heater troubles, and learn the signs that it’s time to replace your water heater.

Why Is My Water Heater Running Out of Hot Water So Fast?

There are several common issues that can lead to a water heater running out of hot water quickly. Some of the most common issues include:

• Sediment buildup: Over time, sediment can accumulate in the bottom of the water heater tank. This sediment buildup can restrict heat transfer from the heating element to the water supply, causing your hot water supply to run out quickly. To fix this issue, the water heater tank will need to be drained and flushed to remove the sediment – however, you don’t want to do this if your water heater is older and it’s never been flushed before, as it may open up leaks.
• Leaking tank: If the water heater tank is leaking, it can cause the hot water to be lost before it reaches the faucets. This can be why you notice the water heater running out of hot water quickly. To fix this issue, typically the water heater tank will need to be replaced by a qualified plumber.
• Faulty thermostat: The thermostat on a water heater is responsible to maintain constant water temperature in your water tank. If the thermostat is not functioning properly, the unit may not heat enough water, which can explain why your hot water supply dwindles so fast. To fix this issue, the thermostat will need to be repaired or replaced by a plumber.
• Incorrect size: If the water heater is not the correct size for your home, it may not be able to provide enough hot water to meet your needs. This can cause the water heater to run out of hot water quickly. To fix this issue, you need to upgrade to a larger water heater or supplement your current water heater with a tankless water heater. 
• High demand: If there are multiple people using hot water at the same time, it can put a strain on the water heater and cause it to run out of hot water quickly. In this case, you may need to upgrade to a larger water heater to meet your hot water needs.

Overall, if you are experiencing issues with your water heater running out of hot water quickly, it is best to contact a qualified plumber to diagnose and repair the problem. Attempting to fix the issue yourself can be dangerous and may result in further damage to the water heater.

Signs It’s Time for Water Heater Replacement

In addition to not having enough heated water when you need it, there are several additional signs that it may be time to replace your water heater. These include:

• Age: Most water heaters have a lifespan of about 8-12 years. As your water heater ages, you’ll notice more frequent performance issues. When you’ve had enough of cold showers, talk to a plumber about replacing your water heater. 
• Rusty water: If the water from your faucets is rusty or has a metallic taste, it may be a sign that the water heater tank is rusting and needs to be replaced.
• Leaks: If the water heater is leaking, it can cause significant damage to your home. Replacement is necessary to avoid this damage.
• Insufficient hot water: If the water  heater is not able to provide enough hot water to meet your needs, it may be time to upgrade to a larger water heater, or add tankless water heaters around your home to limit the strain on your current water heater. 
• High energy bills: If your energy bills have been steadily increasing without clear reason, it may be a sign that your water heater is becoming less efficient and may need to be replaced.

Water Heater Repair & Replacement Services from Douglas Cooling & Heating

When a nice hot shower is interrupted by a stream of cold water, it can be jarring. If you’ve had enough water heater issues, then it’s time to replace your system. Most of the time it’s a lack of hot water is due to one of the reasons we listed above. Douglas Cooling & Heating is here to help. We have a team of experienced professionals who can repair or replace your water heater in no time. Give us a call today and let us take care of all your water heater needs!

Continue Reading

Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on Why Does My Water Heater Run Out of Hot Water So Fast?

As a homeowner, you need to be familiar with the kinds of repairs that require professional help. In addition, you also need to know which issues cannot wait and require immediate service. It’s important to know when it’s time to call a plumber, as plumbing emergencies – even small ones – can quickly turn into big problems. In this blog post, we’ll explain what plumbing emergencies demand urgent repairs and are worth calling Douglas Cooling & Heating for.

What Constitutes a Plumbing Emergency?

A plumbing emergency is any situation that requires immediate attention to prevent damage to your home or property. Some common scenarios that are worth calling an emergency plumber from Douglas Cooling & Heating for include:

• Burst pipes: If a pipe bursts, it can cause significant water damage to your home. This is a plumbing emergency that requires immediate attention from a plumber to repair the burst pipe and prevent further damage.
• Frozen pipes: When pipes freeze, there is a risk of them eventually bursting and causing a severe water leak in your home. Call an emergency plumber as soon as you discover your pipes are frozen so they can be thawed quickly.
• Flooding: If your home is flooding, it can cause significant damage to your property and create a safety hazard. This is a plumbing emergency that requires immediate attention from a plumber to identify and repair the source of the flooding, whether it be a malfunctioning sump pump in the basement or an overflowing toilet.
• Sewer backup: If the sewer system backs up, it can cause water and waste to overflow into your home, resulting in a major health hazard. This is a time when you must call an emergency plumber to clear the blockage, remove sewage from your home, and prevent further damage to your drainage system.
• No hot water: If your water heater is not providing hot water, it can be more than an inconvenience. A household cannot function without the use of hot water. Douglas Cooling & Heating can diagnose and repair the water heater issue, ensuring that you have hot water when you need it.
• Gas leaks: If you suspect that there is a gas leak in your home, it is a plumbing emergency that requires immediate attention from a plumber. Evacuate the home immediately and call your local utility company and an emergency plumber. Common causes of gas leaks are a gas water heater, gas stove, or furnace leak. 

Overall, if you are experiencing any of the common plumbing emergencies above, it is important to call Douglas Cooling & Heating right away to request emergency plumbing repair services. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you whenever you have a plumbing emergency.

Solve Plumbing Problems Fast

Homeowners should have plumbing issues resolved right away for several reasons. First and foremost, plumbing issues can cause significant damage to your home and property if they are not addressed promptly. Burst pipes, for example, can cause water damage to walls, floors, and furniture, and may require costly repairs. Fixing underlying issues to prevent burst pipes can avoid this. 

Plumbing issues can also create safety hazards. For example, a gas leak can be dangerous and may require immediate attention from a plumber to ensure the safety of your home and family. A clogged toilet can cause waste to seep into your home. Plumbing issues can be inconvenient and disruptive. If your water heater is not providing hot water, it can make it difficult to complete daily tasks such as showering, washing dishes, and doing laundry.

Overall, it is important to have plumbing issues resolved right away to prevent further damage, ensure the safety of your home and family, and maintain your daily routine.

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating For 24/7 Emergency Plumbing Repair Services

If you have any type of plumbing emergency, it is always best to call a professional right away rather than wait. Some people think that they can save money by waiting until regular business hours to call a plumber, but if the water has already caused damage to your home, it will end up costing you more in the long run. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers 24/7 emergency plumbing repair services so that you can rest assured knowing that help is on the way, no matter what time it is. Give us a call next time you need emergency plumbing services, call us right away and we’ll be there to help!

Continue Reading

Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on What Plumbing Emergencies Are Worth Calling a Plumber?

Your home’s sump pump is an appliance that you rely on heavily without really noticing it. Sump pumps are often located in your home’s basement, the lowest level of your home, or in the crawlspace. While they may seem like a mysterious motor in a pit, they are your home’s last line of defense to protect it from flooding. If you’ve just moved into a home, or maybe have lived in your home for a while, but haven’t paid much attention to your sump pump, the Douglas Cooling & Heating at Douglas Cooling & Heating share the common signs it’s time to replace your sump pump as well as long you can typically expect a sump pump to last.

How Does a Sump Pump Work?

A sump pump sits in a pit in the lowest portion of a building. When it rains, the water will saturate the soil outside your house and can accumulate under the foundation. The sump basin is dug below the foundation and collects water. When the basin collects enough water, the float switch lifts and the pump activates. The pump starts, lifts the water out of the basin and through a discharge pipe, and away from your foundation. When the heavy rains stop, the float switch lowers and the pump stops.

Sump pumps rely on electrical power to operate. However, many storms that bring rain also bring wind and lighting which can cause a power outage. If your home is prone to frequent power outages along with heavy rain, you can have a battery backup added to your sump pump. When the power goes out, the backup power will kick on and keep removing water away from your home.

How Long Do Sump Pumps Last?

Now that you know how valuable a sump pump is towards the safety of your home, you probably are concerned if yours is working properly. The good news is that on average, a sump pump lasts 7-10 years. Some sump pumps may last longer, depending on how well they were installed and maintained. It’s always a good idea to test your sump pump and to have maintenance done once a year. It would be a shame if you suffer from a flooded basement before you have an opportunity to replace your sump pump.

New homeowners especially can learn a lot about the condition of their sump pump by having it inspected shortly after moving into their new home.

Common Sump Pump Failure Signs

Regardless of the age of your sump pump, there are some signs it’s time to replace it. If you’ve noticed issues lately, start keeping a log to monitor when the sump pump turns on and how long it runs.

Running Constantly

Sump pumps should only run when there’s water accumulating in the sump pit. If you find that it’s a sunny day, but your sump pump is running, there is likely something wrong with it. This could be caused by an issue with the float arm mechanism or float switch issues, or that the sump pump shifted in the basin and is making the float arm unresponsive.

Not Turning On At All

If it’s raining out, listen for your sump pump to kick on. When you noticed that it hasn’t kicked on after a while, you might want to check it. If it has power and there is water in the basin, but the pump is not kicking on, this is likely because of a motor failure. This can be caused by several factors, but it’s important that you call a plumber for a sump pump replacement right away to prevent water from flooding your basement or crawl space.

Making Strange Noises

Acclimate yourself to the regular noises your pump makes. When running, your sump pump will probably make a low humming noise. If you hear rattling, squealing, or grinding noises instead, this could be your sump pump trying to tell you something. Noises are often signs of failing components and you should call for sump pump repairs soon.

Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for Sump Pump Services

Don’t risk your home to expensive water damage. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating to provide quality repairs or maintenance to your sump pump system. If we find that you need a new sump pump, we can install a new one for you too. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating for reliable sump pump services in Montgomery, Alabama today.

Continue Reading

Posted in Plumbing | Comments Off on How Long Does a Sump Pump Last?