What Do I Need to Know About My Water Heater?
When you’re a homeowner, there are a lot of things that you must take into consideration. From paying the bills to keeping your property clean, the list goes on and on — but what about the health and well-being of your water heater? Sure, it may seem as if this H2O-heating vessel is doing just fine — but there’s also a chance that it may be overdue for some TLC from a professional plumber.
To keep your home afloat, your water heater must be in great shape. Here are some essential facts, tips, and best practices to keep in mind to help achieve that.
Tune-Ups are Vital
Let’s cut to the chase: if you haven’t scheduled a water heater tune-up or maintenance appointment since your unit was first installed, that could spell trouble. You must rely on the help of a professional plumber to annually provide your unit with some much-needed TLC. Doing so will help ensure that it’s running efficiently and safely, as well as allow your plumber to catch any lingering problems early on — before they have the chance to turn into something more disastrous down the road.
For example, during a tune-up appointment, your plumber will move the pressure release valve to see if water comes out or not. If H2O decides to stay in the tank when the tab is turned on, this can indicate that your storage tank needs to be flushed. As it turns out, water (before being heated) contains a series of minerals that don’t break down easily (or at all) — resulting in a sediment collection at the bottom of the tank.
When this happens, the “leftovers” make it harder for the tank’s heating element to produce hot water as efficiently as possible. In addition to flushing the tank, another perk about having your water heater tuned-up is that a plumber, as mentioned earlier, will be able to catch any potential problems that may need to be addressed in the nick of time — which brings us to our next point: repairs.
Don’t Put Off Repairs
When it comes to your water heater, just like a motor vehicle, you don’t want to put off any repairs, no matter how big or small they may seem. Doing so can lead to a slew of potential problems — such as your water heater breaking down altogether and needing to be replaced earlier than expected.
Some signs (and sounds) that indicate that your water heater needs to be repaired include:
Produces cold-to-lukewarm water
Appears to have a leak
Has lower-than-usual hot water pressure
Makes strange sounds such as banging or clanking
Another important reason you’ll want to have your water heater repaired right away is that it can lessen the chances of it bursting — which can be the result of sediment build-up not being flushed, tank corrosion, or a rise in internal tank pressure. To play it safe, the minute something doesn’t seem right with your water heater, don’t tamper with it — call a professional plumber right away.
Your Water Heater Might Need to Be Replaced
Unfortunately, there comes a time in every homeowner’s life when they’ll need to part ways with their water heater. On average, a storage-tank water heater will last around ten years — if it is properly maintained. However, if a water heater is neglected or repairs aren’t made right away, the lifespan of your unit can decrease sooner than expected.
Some other signs that indicate that you may need to have your water heater replaced are visible signs of rust on the tank (which could lead to a leak, followed by irreparable water damage) and that your water heater needs to be repaired frequently.
When you need to have your unit replaced, you could opt for a newer storage-tank water heater or go the tankless route!
Consider a Tankless Water Heater
One of the latest innovations in water heater technology is tankless water heaters. Living up to their name and not storing any water in their core, this unit makes for a great replacement option. Another perk about a tankless water heater is that the unit is mounted to the wall (helping save space), requires minimal maintenance, and has a life expectancy of about 20 years (if properly cared for).
Professional Plumbing & Water Heater Services in Stanton, CA
Let Scott Harrison Plumbing and Heating, Inc. be the one to take care of all your water heater and plumbing needs! Call us at (714) 695-5566 to schedule your appointment today.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)