At Center City Plumbing Experts, we get more service calls for water heater issues in the summer than you might expect. While winter is often blamed for frozen pipes, hot weather puts its own stress on water heating systems—especially older models found in many Society Hill and Rittenhouse brownstones.
Today, we’re highlighting a summer plumbing inspection we recently performed in Old City, where our team prevented a serious water heater failure just days before a client’s out-of-town guests were scheduled to arrive.
Case Study: Silent Signs of Water Heater Trouble
The homeowner had noticed:
- Slight water temperature drops during long showers
- A faint smell of metal in hot tap water
- Small rust flakes in the sink basin
We performed a full inspection and found:
- Anode rod corrosion
- Sediment build-up causing heating inefficiency
- Pressure relief valve showing signs of failure
Instead of waiting for a complete breakdown (and a major flood), the client opted for a full water heater repair, including a flush, rod replacement, and valve servicing—at a fraction of the cost of a new unit. Their system is now running clean, safe, and efficient—ready to support summer guests without worry.
What Summer Plumbing Maintenance Should You Consider?
✅ Water heater inspection or flush
✅ Faucet installation or replacement for outdoor hoses or garden sinks
✅ Leak checks under vanities and around shutoff valves
✅ Low water pressure troubleshooting (especially common in Bella Vista rowhomes)
✅ Plumbing estimates before fall remodels—get ahead of the contractor rush!
Expert Tips from a Center City Plumber
- Install a recirculation pump to reduce wait times for hot water—great for multistory homes
- Add a faucet with aerator to reduce water usage without sacrificing flow
- Consider a tankless water heater upgrade if your traditional tank is 10+ years old
Stay Ahead of Plumbing Code & Safety Issues
Many older Philadelphia homes still use galvanized pipes, which corrode from the inside and reduce water quality. It’s smart to schedule a full inspection every few years—even if nothing is visibly wrong. Want to learn more about Philadelphia plumbing standards?
🔗 City Plumbing Code via Philadelphia L&I
