Your hot water runs out fast or takes too long to heat up. Often, the cause is sediment buildup, faulty valves, or dangerous pressure fluctuations. Your water heater doesn’t fix itself over time. It will get worse.
It’s easy to miss the early signs of big problems. We start with a smart, thorough inspection. Then educate you on your options—always with your family’s health in mind. Especially to avoid pressure issues or bacteria risks that can affect water quality.
After performing a full inspection and pressure test, we discovered the house didn’t have an expansion tank to regulate pressure. The pressure inside the home would spike to over 150 PSI after using hot water—double the plumbing code limit of 80 PSI.
We installed an expansion tank on the cold side of the water heater—just like code requires. That stopped the leaking valve and protected the customer from a dangerous pressure buildup, which could have led to a burst tank with thousands of dollars in water damage.
I run out of hot water faster than I used to
I see rust or corrosion on my water lines or tank
My water’s temperature is noticeably inconsistent
Sometimes I smell gas or exhaust near the water heater (especially tankless)
Water is leaking from my tank base or pressure relief valve
Why does my carbon monoxide detector keep going off?
Don’t ignore these signs. A faulty water heater can be a hazard.
We offer annual water heater flushing and inspection services to remove sediment and spot any red flags.
For gas units, we also clean the burner assembly. And for tankless models, we flush and inspect the heat exchanger and venting system to prevent early failure.
Electric of gas
Recirculation systems
Space-saving installs
Well water with filtration
Home infrastructure updates
to support tankless
Tailored to your home and habits
Permits and pressure testing
Installed to code, including necessary upgrades
A safety expansion tank and proper venting
Need help installing your water heater? We’re happy to install the one you purchased and make sure everything is up to code.
Water heaters are part of your home’s health system. Poor maintenance can lead to bacteria growth, inconsistent water temps, and even hidden gas or exhaust leaks. That’s why we inspect with intention and educate while we work.
Every Stars & Stripes visit includes a plumbing safety checklist. If we find something concerning, we mark it as pass, flag, or fail—and explain exactly what it means.
We use Bradford White to protect our own homes. Why? They have a technology called Vitraglas® — a proprietary enamel coating that shields the steel tank from corrosion. And it extends the life of your water heater.
Plus, built-in tech called Microban®. It’s a antimicrobial coating that helps prevent the growth of mold, bacteria, and mildew.
These ensure cleaner, safer water. But regular flushing is still important for optimal performance.
Bradford White is only available from a licensed plumbing professional, like Stars & Stripes Plumbing!
You should do so at least once a year to remove sediment that can reduce efficiency and lead to damage. If you’re on well water or have hard water, flushing it twice a year is a smart move to keep it running safely and reliably.
If the leak is coming from the tank itself, replacement is usually the safest option. Tank leaks often happen when internal corrosion eats through the metal—something that can’t be repaired. Contact us for an inspection, and we’ll pinpoint the source and recommend the best path forward.
We always check if your system needs an expansion tank to stay up to code and protect against unsafe pressure buildup. If it does, we’ll explain exactly why—and make sure it’s installed the right way, so your home stays safe and your plumbing works as it should.
Yes, tankless systems need annual flushing and occasional burner or vent cleaning to stay efficient and safe. Tank-style water heaters also benefit from yearly flushing to remove sediment and extend their lifespan, but tankless units are more like your furnace: typically require more frequent maintenance to protect sensitive components.
