Water Heaters Masters Inc. installs, replaces, and repairs residential and commercial water heaters for clients in Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sacramento Counties. In addition to its standard water heater installation and maintenance capabilities, the company installs and services tankless, vertex, and heat pump water heaters. For the convenience of its clients, it carries a large inventory of water heater and plumbing parts on its work trucks.
Owner Matthew Hechim says he utilizes his 25-plus years of construction and plumbing experience to better serve each of his clients. “I like spending time with customers and explaining the solutions to their water heater and plumbing problems. Also, it leaves a good impression with customers when they see I’m both the owner and the face of the company. They know I’ll be there for them if they ever need me.”
Water Heaters Masters primarily installs water heaters (standard, high-efficiency, heat pump and tankless models) made by leading manufacturers such as Bradford White, A. O. Smith and Noritz. “We always recommend quality name brands and higher-end models,” confirms Mr. Hechim. “These products are built better, last longer and are generally more reliable than lower-quality water heaters like the ones found at big-box stores.”
"We believe in providing high-quality service at very reasonable prices. We create the right environment, where the customer’s needs can be met with ease and where we treat our team like family."
Take simple maintenance steps to extend the life of your water heater.
By periodically inspecting and maintaining your water heater, not only will you keep it operating at its peak potential, you’ll also prevent costly repairs/premature replacement and substantially reduce your energy costs. Heavy-duty repairs should always be handled by a professional, but there are plenty of basic steps you can take to ensure your system is functioning properly. Consider the following tips:
• Check your water heater’s temperature and pressure relief valve annually. Consult the heater’s operating manual for the correct procedure. If the valve doesn’t work, have it replaced. Important safety note: Hot water will drain from the line connected to the relief valve when you open it, so make sure you have a bucket ready. According to the Uniform Plumbing Code, a pipe should be connected to the pressure relief valve and extend along the side of the tank to within six inches of the floor. This extension pipe prevents hot water from spraying when the valve is released or if a malfunction occurs.
• Every six months, open the drain valve near the bottom of your water heater’s tank and drain one or two gallons of water into a bucket or through a garden hose. This will remove any sediment that may have accumulated in the tank bottom. If this procedure isn’t done regularly, residual sediment particles may prevent the drain valve from reseating properly upon closing and the valve washer may have to be replaced.
• If you have a gas-fired water heater, inspect its exhaust stack annually to ensure all pipe connections are secure and free of rust, corrosion and obstructions. It’s essential that these water heaters vent their gases to the outside—gases that escape inside the home could be lethal and pose a fire hazard.
• If you’ve installed an insulation blanket around the tank of your water heater, check every three months to ensure the insulation stays in the proper position. Make sure it’s not blocking the combustion air inlet or exhaust vent.
• Frequently check the temperature setting on your water heater. If it’s above 120 degrees Fahrenheit or if your dishwasher doesn’t have its own heating element, you’re wasting energy and increasing the risk of you or a family member being scalded by hot water.
• If you have a tankless water heater, check the temperature gauge on its boiler every six months. Consult the operating instructions to determine the correct temperature setting.
Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it's even more important for plumbing/water heater companies that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For Water Heaters Masters Inc., achieving a high level of customer satisfaction is a direct result of the focused, detail-oriented approach it takes on every job, regardless of the size. "We spend more time with our customers than most companies, especially on high-end jobs like tankless water heater installations," explains co-owner Matthew Hechim. "Sometimes we'll come out two or three times to explain things if it helps the customer make the right decision."
Water Heaters Masters has been providing complete plumbing and water heater services for residential and commercial clients in Alameda, Solano and Contra Costa Counties since 2006. The company's wide range of capabilities allows it to handle everything from leaky faucets and repiping jobs to tankless, hybrid and vertex water heater installations. Mr. Hechim and his partner, Alex Diaz, have several decades of combined industry experience, and they say their ability to provide a broad range of services greatly benefits their clients. "We don't want to be known just for our water heater expertise," says Mr. Hechim. "We want each of our customers to think of us as their on-call plumber."
Unlike plumbing/water heater companies that only offer fixed pricing for the water heater systems they install, Water Heaters Masters prides itself on being price competitive, especially when it comes to tankless water heaters. "We've priced those systems to encourage people to choose the tankless option," says Mr. Hechim. "Often, we can come in with a bid $300 higher and still be the lowest bid."
Mr. Hechim emphasizes that a combination of experience and price makes Water Heaters Masters unique in its industry. "We're able to do the job right at a low price and take the time to properly advise our customers on their options," he says. "We run into a lot of people who've had bad experiences because they picked the wrong products or contractors. Ultimately, we want to make sure our customers make the right decisions."
