There are so many appliances and pieces of equipment in a home. Wouldn’t it be great if they all just worked perfectly forever and didn’t need repair? Well, there is a way that you can dramatically reduce the chances of something needing to be repaired: regular routine maintenance.
People often remember to have heating maintenance done, and air conditioning maintenance as well. It can be harder to remember to schedule maintenance for your water heater. After all, you might only ever think of your water heater when you suddenly end up in a cold shower! Water heaters, both the storage tank variety and tankless systems, need regular maintenance to keep working well. Here’s what you should know. Neglecting this can increase the likelihood of needing unexpected plumbing repair service down the line.
Sediment Accumulates
Tiny particles in your water will settle out over time, like silt and sand at the bottom of a pond. This will leave a layer of sediment at the bottom of your water heater’s storage tank, or in the lowest points of your tankless system. This can impact the evenness of the temperature as well as the amount of hot water available. During maintenance, the sediment will be washed out of the system. If left unchecked, sediment buildup can lead to hidden problems that waste water and require costly plumbing repairs.
Minerals Are Deposited
Because water is an incredible solvent, dissolving bits of everything it passes through, all water has some mineral content. Hard water has a particularly high mineral content, likely calcium, magnesium, and iron. Then, just like a stalactite slowly forming in a cave, water deposits layers of those minerals on the surfaces it passes over. This is called mineral scaling.
Scaling can coat the inside of your water heater’s tank and the inside of the piping connecting it. It has a more severe impact on a tankless system, further narrowing the already narrow pipes of the system, and reducing hot water flow. Your plumber will flush your water heater with a safe, natural rinse that dissolves the minerals. They may recommend more frequent flushing or a water softener if your home’s water is especially hard.
Your Water Heater Has Filters
To cut down on the sediment that gets into your water heater, it has a water filter. And to reduce dust that could interfere with combustion, there’s also an air filter. As with any filtration system, these accumulate particles over time and become clogged. This prevents air and water from flowing sufficiently. During maintenance, your plumber will clean or replace these filters.
The Anode Rod Is Meant to Be Replaced
There’s a very interesting component in water filters called the anode rod. It’s sometimes referred to as the sacrificial anode rod because in the process of protecting your water heater from corrosion, it gets eaten away. During maintenance, your plumber will check this component to see if it needs to be replaced yet. It simply isn’t meant to last as long as the rest of the water heater, but failure to replace it can lead to a rusted water heater that needs to be replaced. If you’re unsure whether your system’s deterioration calls for service, review these situations that require expert plumbers so you can make an informed decision.
If you’re ready to schedule maintenance, or you have any questions about water heaters in Uniontown, OH, we’re ready to help.
Contact us today to schedule your water heater maintenance.
