01 Apr Maintaining Your Home’s Water Heater
Nothing in your home seems quite as important as your water heater when it goes out. When operating efficiently, however, your water heater is out of sight and out of mind.
The trouble is, neglecting your water heater can lead to major issues- many of which we’ll detail below. If you have any concerns about your water heater, call 535 Plumbing at 808-300-0535 to schedule an inspection and perform any necessary water heater maintenance or replacement.
Our preventative maintenance and water heater service programs will keep your system functioning perfectly without an ounce of effort or hassle on your part.
How Long Will My Water Heater Last Without Maintenance?
A lot of factors go into how long your water heater will last, including where the water heater is placed in your home, how well it was installed, the actual make/model of the heater itself, and especially the level of maintenance you give it will all make a difference.
What Are The Signs That My Water Heater Needs Service?
There are a few telltale signs that your water heater needs attention. They include:
Water Heater Leakage
Not all signs of a leak are that obvious. In general, you should make it a habit to check for leaks around your hot water heater at least once every month. Look for drips, dampness in your carpet, or even a musty smell around the heater. Detecting water leaks early can prevent a whole mess of structural issues and damages to your home.
Low Pressure In Your Water Heater
No one likes low water pressure, but it’s also a sign that you’re in need of water heater maintenance. This is likely a sign that there is a buildup of minerals or other types of sediment.
The pressure may also be low because of a kink in a pipe, or simply because of faulty installation. This can be fixed with either pipe repair or correctly installing the pipes.
Clicking Noise Coming From The Heater
Your water heater will make a few random sounds that aren’t cause for concern. However, if you start to hear constant clanging, clicking, or even something that sounds like popping, it could mean a more serious issue.
Usually, what’s happening is that your heater is showing signs of mineral buildup due to lack of maintenance.
Water Coming Out Of The Heater Is Rusty
Another sure sign that something isn’t quite right with your water heater can be seen in the water coming out of your faucets.
If it’s rusty or has an overly metallic taste, your water heater needs a replacement. This is because it’s likely that rust from a deteriorating heater has accrued in the pipes themselves and needs replacement.
What Can Happen if I Neglect My Water Heater?
Neglecting your water heater can lead to serious consequences. While not overly common, these worst-case scenarios will encourage you to not ignore the aforementioned warning signs.
Large Scale Flooding
If you allow your water heater to degenerate to the point where it “dies” in your home, a flood can be a common result. The tank will rust through, eventually allowing gallons and gallons of water to flood into your home.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Many water heaters use gas to heat the water, and if the heater is left unregulated for long enough, carbon monoxide gas can leak into the home and poison humans. Over 400 Americans die every year due to unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires, and many of these are from malfunctioning water heaters. Make sure your home has a CO detector, and ensure there are no obstructions in the vent. Finally, perform annual maintenance to make sure there are no gas issues in your home.
Your Water Heater Can Explode
While rare, water heaters can explode if they aren’t properly maintained. This usually happens when the temperature and pressure valve fails – enough pressure in the tank will cause it to burst. There are safeguards in water heaters to stop this from happening but they require annual inspection and testing. Without proper maintenance, these safeguards can fail.
How Often Should You Maintain Your Water Heater?
In terms of repairs and maintenance 535 Plumbing suggests having your water heater flushed out at least once every year. Your tank will be emptied out through a hose, and then refilled with clean water.
This helps to get extra sediment out of your heater, which, if left untreated, can cause serious damage and clogs to your system. The maintenance may also include an inspection and deep cleaning of the water heater’s coils, rods, and other pieces.
Hopefully, this post has helped you to better understand the signs of potential damage to look out for. We suggest that you start taking care of water heater problems sooner rather than later. Doing so will prevent you from running into more severe — and more expensive — problems with your water heater down the line. It will also extend its overall lifespan. If you suspect you have plumbing issues that might be water heater related but aren’t sure, 535 Plumbing offers plumbing inspection services as well.
Looking for reliable and expert maintenance for your hot water heater?
535 Plumbing has got you covered.