Extend the Lifespan of Your Dallas Home Water Heater Through Inspection and Maintenance
Water heaters are an important part of our lives. We usually take them for granted until the first time we find icy water awaiting us in the shower. It’s a chilly reminder that we need to take care of our water heater. Water heaters come in many types, shapes and sizes. Natural gas (or LP) or electric tank type are the most common. Like everything else in the house, a little bit of maintenance and periodical inspections can work to get the most life out of a hot water heater.
Inspecting your water heater regularly is a very important, but often over-looked home maintenance step. Water heaters typically last for 8-13 years, and if your water heater is over 10 years old, inspecting it at least annually is very important. An inspection can identify a small problem before it becomes a larger one. Leaks, rust and other issues only get worse with time, which means that the sooner you can deal with them, the better.
Performing regular maintenance on your water heater is the best thing you can do for its longevity after your initial purchase.
Inspect Your Water Heater to Prolong Its Life
Your water heater is one of the main cogs in your home comfort system gears. It supplies hot water to your household plumbing for use in the dishwasher, washing machine, sinks and showers. It also uses up more energy than any other piece of equipment other than your HVAC gear. Given its importance, the stakes are high when it comes to keeping your hot water heater running in peak condition. With proper maintenance, you can extend the life of your equipment and delay the moment when you need to purchase a new model. Read on to learn more.
Getting the Most from Your Household Plumbing
There are several steps you can take yourself to keep the water heater running smoothly:
- Inspect the Pressure Valve: Make sure your pressure valve is working correctly by turning off the power and water to your hot water unit and then tripping the valve. Air, water or vapor should come out – if they don’t, you need to replace the valve. A malfunctioning valve could cause an explosion if the tank becomes over-pressurized.
- Flush out Your Tank: It’s a good idea to empty the tank once a year or so to remove any sediment that has accumulated inside, and it’s convenient to take care of this chore at the same time you check the pressure valve. With the tank disconnected from water and power, hook a hose up to the drain valve and place the other end somewhere where it’s safe to discharge hot water. Next, with the pressure valve already open, flip open the drain valve and let all the water flow out. Finally, hook up the water to the hot water heater again and turn on your hot water faucets. Wait until water starts coming out before you power up the heater again.
- Check on Your Anode Rod: The anode rod helps prevent corrosion in your hot water tank and is an essential tool for prolonging the life of the equipment. You can check on it while the tank is drained by unscrewing the hex head at the top of the tank and pulling out the rod. If it has become very thin, or if it’s coated in sediment, it’s time for a replacement. In general, anode rods should last about five years, but it’s a good idea to check on them annually.
Put Your Household Plumbing in Expert Hands
The more vigilant you are about water heater maintenance, the less likely you are to need emergency repair or replacement. In addition to your own interventions, a yearly visit from a qualified plumber can catch any problems you missed or weren’t able to resolve and extend the lifespan of your water heater even more.
Your water heater is one of the main cogs in your home comfort system gears. It supplies hot water to your household plumbing for use in the dishwasher, washing machine, sinks and showers. It also uses up more energy than any other piece of equipment other than your HVAC gear. Given its importance, the stakes are high when it comes to keeping your hot water heater running in peak condition. With proper maintenance, you can extend the life of your equipment and delay the moment when you need to purchase a new model. Read on to learn more.Preventive Maintenance Can Extend Your Water Heater’s Useful Life… Check Yours Today!
A professional inspection of your water heater will reveal any signs of danger, wear and tear, and help you to determine whether to repair or replace your water heater. Berkeys Plumbing are an expert water heater repair service, with years of experience in homes just like yours, working on water heaters old and new. Our professional crew will come to your home for water heater maintenance, repair, and replacement services. Call us today at (214) 238-8353 to schedule a service call.
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