Aging Water Heaters and How to Save Them!
It is not unusual for homeowners and tenants to feel a bit naïve when it comes to home plumbing and hot water tank. In this blog we discuss how to extend the life of your water heater.
Perhaps you’ve tinkered with your plumbing and fixed a few things yourself, but have you ever contacted a professional like 704plumber.com to learn about preventive water heater maintenance?
Water heaters have changed a lot over time. Perhaps you are one a lucky homeowner whose water heater has lasted over 13 years with no issues that you can detect – but you can’t see what’s going on inside the tank. Limescale buildup and other problems build up over the years and can eventually come to a head, putting your heater out of action.
Nowadays, water heaters can last from 8-10 years, although some have lasted longer depending on many factors, such as water quality, and frequency of use. Another important factor is preventive maintenance, a service many plumbers like americaneagleplumbing.net/cedar-park-plumber/ provide. Preventative maintenance can extend a water heater’s lifecycle by several years, as well as prevent breakdowns.
Many areas, particularly those in the countryside, have soft water which is easier on the hot water tank and its parts. Limescale buildup is slower and in some cases, practically nonexistent.If you have hard water, it is recommended to add a water softener to your home plumbing system to reduce the speed of natural wear and tear. Hard water is harsh on your hair, skin, and plumbing because of the higher levels of calcium and magnesium present in the water. Adding water softener could potentially, decrease the harmful minerals in water and make it gentler. This means that no more rough or dry hair, no more unwanted tastes in drinking water, and no more scale buildup in your pipes and appliances. With water softeners installed in your home, you could also ensure the longevity of your hot water tanks. Therefore, those from UK who are looking for water softener installation (for availing the above mentioned benefits), might want to consult with specialists like silkflow.co.uk.
Coming back to the topic of heaters, hot water heaters that are used less frequently can last longer. Since they experience less cycles of heat expansion and contraction, they last longer. Read more about thermal expansion in this blog.
Preventive maintenance is the best way to help your aging water heater live a long life. Here are some tips for water heater maintenance.
Flush your water heater every year. Pick a date and mark it on your calendar as your official Water Heater Flush day. We also offer a free reminder program where we will call to remind you that your tank is due for a flush.
Check your PRV (pressure reducing valve) every 6 months. This valve controls the water that comes in to your home from the city. High pressure water can damage your plumbing system and will void the warranty on your hot water tank. Check this valve to make sure that your pressure stays below 75 PSI.
Replace the anode rod in your water heater. The rod breaks down over time and settles to the bottom of your tank. Some manufacturers suggest that having this rod replaced or installing an additional rod can help to extend the life of your tank.
To see a list of our maintenance services, click here.
