Typically, your water heater has an 8-12 years lifespan from when you first installed it. However, it’s only a guarantee that this appliance will last this long through proper maintenance. Scheduling annual maintenance allows you to handle minor issues that could escalate and cause more damage.
With the following steps on how to care for a water heater, you can extend its lifespan.
How to Care for a Water Heater
- Regular Inspection
Proper and regular water heater inspection is important in ensuring this appliance achieves its maximum lifespan. Through inspections, you can identify and solve potential issues earlier. And this will prevent costly repairs if such issues were to escalate.
Therefore, it’s crucial to spare time and ensure your water heater is in great shape and works efficiently.
- Air Intake Filter Replacement
This step is vital for tankless water heaters. Please note this appliance comes with an air intake channel that allows it to function optimally. The filter is there to prevent the entry of foreign objects. However, it may get overwhelmed with time due to dust and debris buildup.
Therefore, you must swap it with a new and fresh one regularly to maintain the efficiency of your appliance.
- Annual Flush
The building up of sediments can significantly hamper the performance of your appliance. And after years of buildup, the sediments can take up significant space in the tank, reducing its capacity. While sediment build-up is harmless to the heater, it reduces its efficiency.
During annual flushing, switch off and disconnect the heater from the power. Also, cut the water supply into the tank momentarily when flushing out. When you’re done, connect it back to the power, restore the inflow of water, and turn on the power.
- Anode Rod Replacement
After every five years, anode replacement is essential. This is a critical component of this appliance. And without it, the water heater would experience a faster rate of wear and tear. This element helps in eliminating corrosive minerals that can significantly damage the tank from inside.
Instead of the tank lining suffering the impact, this rod takes on the hit and corrodes. Without replacing it, that means your tank will be susceptible to highly corrosive minerals in the water.
- Tank Insulation
Tank insulation improves the efficiency of your water heater. Thanks to the insulator, you’ll prevent heat loss and improve the energy efficiency of your appliance. Further, tank insulation improves the lifespan of the appliance.
Take note, tank insulation reduces the effort your heater puts to heat water. Also, it minimizes the frequency of heating the water to keep it hot and ready for use. As such, it experiences less strain over time as compared to a heater without insulation.
- Professional Inspection
There’s a benefit in inviting a professional to inspect how to care for a water heater. While you can effectively conduct routine checks and maintenance, an expert will detect hidden issues that are unnoticeable. Proper inspection and maintenance of your water heater will curb the escalation of small issues into costly damages.
- Pipe Insulation
Besides the tank, the pipe system can also benefit from proper insulation. Take note, winter can freeze and damage pipes that are exposed to the elements. When this happens, you may incur a significant cost of repairing the damages.
Final Take
When your water heater experiences issues regardless of the source, it can significantly disrupt the water supply in the household. But through care and maintenance of this appliance, these are issues you don’t have to worry about.
Not only will this service improve the performance of your water heater, but it will also lower energy expenses. And during the regular checkups, you should fix any issue you find right away to avoid further damage. To get expert help, call Flamingo Plumbing & Backflow Services.