Plumbing Business Advises Residents on Water Heater Maintenance after Recent Explosion

Posted on September 04, 2008 by Pete Kosowski

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing encourages residents to regularly maintain water heaters

Sarasota, FL- A recent water heater explosion that destroyed a home in Phoenix, Arizona, and rocked it from its foundation has consumers across the U.S. on alert. The electric water heater exploded most likely due to a faulty pressure relief valve and was shot like a rocket, landing nearly two blocks from the home. The experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing are offering helpful tips for local residents on how to prevent a water heater explosion from happening in your home.

"Just like cars, water heaters need regular maintenance," said Tab Hunter, president of Franchise Operations at Clockwork Home Services, franchisor of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. "If both safety features -- the temperature and pressure relief valve and the high temperature switch -- are malfunctioning, then water gets trapped, causing a buildup of pressure. The buildup of pressure can then cause an explosion." Hunter suggests the following to prevent such a disaster in your home:

• Water heater maintenance – Have your water heater periodically inspected by a professional.
• Update your water heater – Replace or update your water heater, if needed. Typically, an electric water heater will last six years, while a gas water heater will last ten years. Hire a licensed plumber to install your new water heater.
• Flush the water heater once a year – This will prevent the buildup of mineral deposits, extend the life of your heater, and help it run more efficiently.

Franchised under Clockwork Home Services, Inc., Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers customers a variety of plumbing services that include repairing, installing and replacing anything from conventional tank water heaters and septic tanks to kitchen sinks, toilets and garbage disposals. Its plumbing contractors are professionally trained in plumbing and customer service.

About Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is one of the fastest growing plumbing franchises in the United States. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing ranked #249 on the 2008 Entrepreneur Franchise 500® list and #36 on the 2007 Franchise Times® "Fast 55" list. A customer's time is the No. 1 priority for Benjamin Franklin Plumbing. The franchise offers customers on-time service, replacement and repairs done right the first time with courtesy, convenience, cleanliness, competence and character. The company is owned by Clockwork Home Services Inc. in Sarasota, Florida.

About Clockwork Home Services
Clockwork Home Services, Inc. is dedicated to improving the operations, efficiency, customer service and profitability of contractors in the home services industry in North America through affinity group membership and nationally branded franchises. Its companies include Mister Sparky® Franchising, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® Franchising, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating® Franchising, BuyMax®, Plumbers' Success International®, Electricians' Success International®, AirTime 500™, Roofers' Success International®, Success Academy®, AirTime Canada™ ULC, SuccessWare, Inc.® and company-owned One Hour® operations in Nevada, Florida, Tennessee, Minnesota, Indiana, California, Ohio, South Carolina, Colorado and throughout Canada; company-owned Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® operations in Indiana, Tennessee, Minnesota, Ohio, California and Colorado; and company-owned Mister Sparky® operations in Colorado, Indiana and Georgia. In 2008, Clockwork was ranked #933 on Inc. magazine's Inc. 5,000® list of fastest-growing private companies in the United States.