From Navarre to the rest of the Emerald Coast, Riptide Plumbing is on hand for all your residential and commercial plumbing needs in Florida. We have been at it for over 20 years, and our technicians are well-versed in water heater repair and service. Should an emergency arise, we offer 24/7 response and free estimates. Our work covers everything from leak detection to full installations on both tankless and conventional systems in Navarre, Navarre Beach, Santa Rosa County, Gulf Breeze, Pensacola, Mary Esther, Fort Walton Beach, Hurlburt Field, and the surrounding communities.
Hot water with a brown or rusty tint. This is usually the tank corroding from within; on Gulf-front properties, the salt air will hasten the process.
Puddles in the drain pan beneath the unit. The bottom of the tank may be going or you have a leak. It is best to have us do a prompt inspection to avoid more major plumbing work down the line.
A sulfur or rotten-egg odor. A spent anode rod is the typical culprit. In most cases, we can put in a new one and the smell will be gone, provided the tank has not already been compromised.
Inconsistent hot water or frequent interruptions. There could be an issue with the controls, or a failing sensor, igniter or heating element.
Any visible corrosion, odd noises or a drop in capacity. These are indications that a professional should look at the root cause before the system gives out completely.
Some of these problems may be repairable. Others can indicate that the water heater itself is deteriorating. We look at the age, condition, type of system, and specific failure before recommending what to do next.
We will flush out sediment and mineral deposits, replace thermostats or failed heating elements, and service the shutoff and pressure relief valves. If the tank is rusting through, we will advise whether to make a repair or put in a new one.
We troubleshoot the igniters and heat sensors as well as any control issues. Where mineral content is causing error codes or low flow, we clean or put in new gaskets, inlet filters, and sensor rods.
We make sure a new water heater in Navarre is up to local code and fits your home’s plumbing. This includes rerouting lines, proper venting and condensate drainage.
With a storage (tank) heater, you have hot water on hand. Gas models will keep running in a power outage so long as the gas supply is there.
Tankless systems give you hot water to last, but they need electricity to function. Without a generator for backup, the unit will not fire when the power goes out.
The firing rate on a tankless is considerably higher in BTUs than a standard tank. That means more gas is used while it is on, and in some houses a review of the gas system is called for to maintain safe pressure.
An electric tankless model is no small matter; the electrical upgrade required can be expensive and is not always practical for a property in Santa Rosa County or on the coast.
There is not always a financial upside to making the switch. If your present heater is doing its job, we would recommend a repair over a replacement.
The life of a conventional tank is generally in the vicinity of ten years, though that can be dictated by how well it is maintained and the quality of the water.
A qualified technician will put the unit through an inspection to get to the root of the matter, be it a leak, a control or sensor fault, valve failure or corrosion. From there, he or she can advise on whether to repair or replace the system with an eye toward its condition, expected lifespan, and long-term cost.
With gas appliances, safety is paramount. An experienced hand will shut off the gas, do any necessary pressure testing, and put in for the right permits or inspections if the job calls for it.
Tankless units are another story; they can demand some reworking of the venting or small reroutes for the water and gas piping. While some modern equipment will run on a 1/2" line for a short run, every installation has to be judged on its own merits given the home’s size and mains pressure.
If one sees standing water in the pan or rust on the tank, replacement is the prudent course of action for the long haul. You might have an anode rod put in to stave off corrosion and add a few years to the tank, but it is no fix for a tank that is already corroding through.
We will be able to tell you what makes the most sense for your service needs in Navarre, be it a heater install or a straight replacement. We can also point you to more energy-efficient options to offset the kind of higher bills that come from a loss of efficiency due to sediment or corrosion.
Make it a habit to check the water heater pan for standing water and note any odd color or smell to the water. Flushing the tank on a regular basis will keep down the sediment and buildup that tends to cut a tank’s life short.
Should you detect a sulfur scent at the hot taps, it is worth speaking with a pro about the anode rod before you commit to replacing the whole thing.
On your gas units, make sure the vents and combustion air paths are unobstructed and give the pressure relief valve an occasional test. If the unit is throwing error codes or the water temperature is not what it should be, put in for some professional service.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you are dealing with persistent brown hot water, leaks, strange noises or odors, or simply no hot water at all. Given that tanks have a way of failing without warning and gas units must be handled with care, we would rather a professional make the diagnosis than see a DIY attempt. Our service calls cover everything from leak detection and checking shutoff points and valves to diagnosing heating element failures and putting forward the best repair or replacement for the homeowner in Navarre.
We offer a one-year warranty on all plumbing and service work other than drain cleaning, unless the pipes are jetted. Contact us with any warranty questions.
