DeHart Plumbing, Heating, and Air Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Plumbing’

When to Replace Your Water Heater: A Homeowner’s Guide for Modesto, CA

Tuesday, April 1st, 2025

Imagine waking up to a cold shower on a chilly Modesto morning, only to discover your water heater has stopped working. A failing unit not only disrupts your daily routine but can also lead to water damage and costly emergency repairs. Recognizing the signs early can help you avoid surprises and plan a smooth, stress-free replacement.

How Long Does a Water Heater Last?

Most water heaters last between 8 to 12 years, depending on usage and maintenance. If your system is approaching this range, it may be time to consider replacement—especially if efficiency and performance have declined.

Key Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Water Heater

1. Frequent Repairs
If you’re calling for service often, your water heater may be on its last leg. Frequent issues add up quickly—investing in a new system may save you more in the long run.

2. Rising Utility Bills
An older or inefficient unit may be using more energy to heat the same amount of water. New energy-efficient models can significantly reduce monthly costs.

3. Inconsistent or No Hot Water
Struggling to get consistent hot water? It could be a sign your heating elements or thermostat are failing. Have a licensed technician assess the issue to determine the best solution.

4. Discolored or Rusty Water
Rusty water from your hot taps could indicate corrosion inside the tank—a clear sign it’s time for a replacement before a leak occurs.

5. Water Leaks or Moisture Around the Unit
Leaks or puddles near the unit may point to tank fractures. These are often irreparable and best addressed through professional replacement.

6. Old or Obsolete Models
If your unit uses outdated parts or designs (like those requiring R-22 refrigerant in HVAC systems), it may be time to switch to modern, environmentally friendly technology.

Why Choose DeHart Plumbing, Heating & Air, Inc. for Water Heater Replacement?

With a strong reputation in Modesto, CA, DeHart Plumbing, Heating & Air, Inc. delivers top-quality water heater replacements backed by experience and reliability. Our certified technicians provide tailored solutions to meet your home’s hot water needs.

What to Do If You Need a Water Heater Replacement

1. Schedule an Inspection
Let our licensed professionals evaluate whether a repair or full replacement is most cost-effective. Attempting repairs without proper training can lead to safety hazards or void your warranty.

2. Get a Custom Quote
We offer clear, upfront estimates that include product recommendations and detailed installation plans.

3. Plan Your Installation
Coordinate a date that works for your schedule. We ensure fast, seamless service with minimal disruption—handled safely by certified experts.

How Regular Maintenance Can Extend Your Water Heater’s Life

Routine professional service keeps your system running efficiently and helps delay costly replacements:

  • Annual Inspections: Detect early warning signs before they become major issues.
  • Flushing Sediment: Done by a technician to prevent buildup that strains the tank and reduces efficiency.
  • Anode Rod Replacement: Helps prevent internal corrosion and should be checked by a professional.
  • Thermostat Calibration: Ensures consistent hot water and energy efficiency, best handled during scheduled service.

FAQs About Water Heater Replacement

Q: How much does water heater replacement cost in Modesto?
A: Costs typically range from $2,200 to $3,200 depending on size and type.

Q: Should I replace my water heater before it fails?
A: Yes, proactive replacement avoids leaks and unexpected disruptions.

Q: What size water heater do I need?
A: A 50-gallon unit suits most families of 4; larger households may require 75 gallons or more. A professional can help determine the best size for your needs.

Q: How long does installation take?
A: Most installations are completed within one day by our trained technicians.

Q: Are energy-efficient models worth the investment?
A: Absolutely. They lower energy usage and offer long-term savings.

Ready to Upgrade? Contact Us Today!

Don’t wait for a breakdown to upgrade your water heater. Contact DeHart Plumbing, Heating & Air, Inc. today for expert guidance, fast installation, and reliable service. Stay comfortable and worry-free with a water heater system built to last.

Continue Reading

Call a Plumber for Peace of Mind

Monday, February 10th, 2025

Life is stressful enough without adding plumbing problems to the mix. Whether it’s a leaky faucet, a slow-draining sink, or a mysterious gurgling sound coming from the pipes, even minor plumbing issues can be a source of frustration. Instead of spending hours trying to fix things yourself—only to end up making it worse—why not call a professional? A plumber can take care of things quickly, saving you time, stress, and potential headaches down the road.

Continue Reading

The Real Problem With Store-Bought Drain Cleaning Chemicals

Monday, October 21st, 2024

Clogged drains are a common household nuisance, and many people turn to store-bought drain cleaning chemicals as a quick and easy solution. However, these chemicals can actually be harmful to your plumbing system and the environment. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the problems with using store-bought drain cleaners and why professional hydro jetting is a better alternative.

Just remember–there are always better alternatives when you hire our team for professional plumbing in Stockton, CA. We provide drain cleaning services like hydro-jetting which are incredibly powerful at removing drain clogging materials. And, our services take only a small amount of your time, whereas these chemicals can cause other problems and lead to a long delay in your day.

Keep reading to learn about why these chemicals are just not worth the risk.

Continue Reading

Simple Solutions for a Clogged Drain

Monday, June 19th, 2023

Clogged drains are universal problems. They’re practically in every home and with every homeowner. Sure, some people might get them more often than others, but nobody can comprehensively avoid them entirely.

Thankfully, we have some tools and skills available that help customers react to this kind of problem. Plungers, drain snakes, and other household tools can remove drain clogs and help your wastewater flow smoothly away, as long as they’re used correctly. Just make sure you steer clear of drain-cleaning chemicals. They can often be caustic and bad for your plumbing system.

But what if your household products don’t work? Then what do you do?

Turn to our team for professional support. Our drain cleaning in Stockton, CA is powerful enough to alleviate any clog. Using our expertise and hydro jetting equipment, we’ll get rid of any clog quickly and effectively.

Continue Reading

Replace Your Old Pipes With Better Materials

Monday, January 16th, 2023

Year after year, plumbers work hard to make sure that the solutions they provide for their customers are affordable and long-lasting. If you’ve ever been frustrated with the vast array of plumbing materials that you might see in a house, there are a lot of reasons that plumbers use what they do.

In reality, it’s always a good idea to stay updated on what plumbing materials are best used for certain tasks, and which ones are outdated and need to be replaced. Only a licensed, professional plumber should be the authority on this matter. And lucky for you, that’s who we are!

So, think of this as your yearly PSA for your plumbing system. If you’ve still got some of the old and outdated plumbing materials listed below, then we think it would be a good idea to get them replaced. That’s a plumbing service in Modesto, CA we can handle.

Continue Reading

How to Avoid a Plumbing Disaster

Monday, November 7th, 2022

It’s easy to think as a homeowner, that plumbing problems are inevitable. After all, plumbing systems can’t last forever, and given how many appliances and fixtures you deal with in your home on a daily basis, it makes sense that sooner or later you’ll deal with a serious plumbing issue of some kind.

The good news is, you don’t have to just accept that there’s nothing you can do, and wait around for a plumbing disaster to happen. While an occasional leak or plumbing repair here or there might be inevitable, plumbing disasters aren’t. So how can you prevent them? By knowing the signs of a small leak before it turns into something bigger! We’ve outlined these signs below.

Continue Reading

Signs It’s Time for a Professional Drain Cleaning

Monday, September 13th, 2021
drain-with-water-going-down

If we could make a safe bet, we’d say that you likely do not think about the drains in your home all that much. That’s okay, not many people do! However, it is important to note that if you don’t keep your drains in proper shape, they can cause a number of problems for you down the line.

It’s important for homeowners like yourself to know when it’s time to call for professional drain cleaning services, so your drains can be as effective and healthy as possible. Read on as we uncover a couple of signs that it is, in fact, time to call us for this service.

Continue Reading

Heed These Signs Your Home Needs Repiping

Monday, August 2nd, 2021
pipe-with-water-bursting-out-of-crack

Just like any other component that helps provide comfort and modern conveniences to your household, your plumbing system wears down over time, with some material types aging more quickly than others. This means that at some point during your homeownership, particularly if your home is more than a few decades old, you’re likely to need pipe relining, plumbing repair, or perhaps even complete home repiping. This is a complex job. However, our professional plumbers are very familiar with the work it entails, and we’ll be able to manage it for you with ease!

Additionally, you will benefit in many ways from whole-house repiping. First of all, you won’t need to worry about any sudden plumbing leaks or repair needs for years. Of course, the inevitable plumbing problem doesn’t seem so inevitable if you haven’t experienced one yet, right? And we absolutely understand any hesitance in investing in a large plumbing project.

But managing your repiping needs as soon as you can will help you avoid many potential issues, such as higher water bills, potential property damage from leaks, and more. But how do you know if you need repiping? We’ve provided some guidance on that question below.

Continue Reading

Signs That It’s Time for a Plumbing Fix

Monday, December 21st, 2020
water-bursting-through-crack-in-pipe

Plumbing system problems can often be difficult to spot, especially without the right professional equipment and know-how about comprehensive pipe systems. Most of these pipes, after all, are hidden from view, and the problems that crop up are usually pretty subtle when they start.

For this reason, we recommend that our customers schedule preventive plumbing maintenance at least once annually. However, it’s also important to familiarize yourself with the warning signs that you do need a plumbing fix, even if you’re due for maintenance. The faster you detect a plumbing issue, the faster you can get it fixed, after all. So, what are these signs?

Continue Reading

Do You Need Professional Drain Cleaning?

Monday, September 28th, 2020
drain-with-water-running-down

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think about the drains in your home very often. If we had to guess, we’d say you never think about them, until something goes wrong. You know, something like a clogged drain leaving you standing ankle deep in water in your shower.

Sometimes, you can take care of a clogged or slow drain on your own with nothing more than a plunger and a little bit of “elbow grease”? Sometimes it takes a little something more… like professional drain cleaning.

“Can’t I just clean my drains myself?”

Before you reach for that bottle of store-bought drain cleaner consider this: These solutions are caustic, and actually do more harm than good to your plumbing system! Instead, you should call on a pro. But how do you know when it’s time?

Continue Reading