A reliable water heater is an integral aspect of modern home comfort. It also accounts for 18% of the average American home’s annual energy usage. Despite that, many homeowners ignore their water heater until something goes wrong and they need to schedule a repair. A better approach is to schedule maintenance annually or more often as needed. Let’s explore why regular maintenance is so important.
A Tank Water Heater Has a Sacrificial Anode Rod
Tank water heaters remain the most common way to provide hot water to American homes. What many people don’t realize is that tank systems have a sacrificial anode rod. Sacrificial refers to the fact that the manufacturer designs the part to fail over time.
All water supplies have minerals and some sediment. That sediment accumulates over time, and minerals build up as well. It coats the tank walls and can affect other components, such as heating elements. An anode rod attracts those particles through electrolysis, causing them to build up on the rod instead of the tank walls.
The typical lifespan for an anode rod is three years. We recommend having our team check the anode rod annually and replace it as needed. It’s a relatively inexpensive part, and failure to replace it on time could cost you more in the long run.
Tank Water Heaters Need Flushing
Even with a well-functioning anode rod, some limescale and sediment will build up in the tank. To deal with this issue, we recommend flushing the tank at least once a year. If you have hard water, you may need to schedule this maintenance more often.
What we will do is turn the system off and then connect a drain hose to the drain valve and run it outside to a safe drainage area. Once we open the valve, all the water will drain out of the tank. That will take between 15 and 60 minutes, depending on your tank size. Once it drains, we’ll refill the tank with clean water. Then, we’ll turn the system on and wait for the water supply to heat. Finally, we’ll test the system to ensure all is in working order.
Tankless Water Heaters Require Descaling
Limescale and sediment are even bigger concerns with tankless water heaters. Since there’s no tank, there’s nowhere for the particles to go. The buildup can occur quickly. It can happen in the valves, tubing, and pipes. It can also accumulate on the heat exchanger and other components. For this reason, limescale is a leading cause of high operating costs and repairs for on-demand systems.
The key to keeping your system clean is by descaling. This is a process through which we use a recirculating pump to run a cleaning mixture through the system. This can take 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the model. For regular maintenance, we’ll generally use a vinegar-water mixture. If there’s severe, hardened buildup, we’ll use a chemical agent instead.
If you find you must descale your system often due to hard water, there are options. An anti-scale device is a local solution that will prevent limescale from forming. A water softener is a whole-house solution that will remove the minerals from the water.
Tune-ups Help Maintain Optimal Energy Efficiency
Modern water heaters are impressively efficient. Unfortunately, they can become less efficient quickly without upkeep. That inefficiency will increase your household carbon footprint. It will also increase your water heating bill by as much as 20% or more. Components need to be recalibrated over time or become less efficient. We’ll sometimes need to replace parts to restore system efficiency. Limescale is the other big concern. When it builds up on the surface of heating components, it acts like an insulator and makes heat transfer less efficient.
Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve Testing
Tank water heaters can experience increased pressure at times. That pressure can reduce efficiency, increase operating costs, and cause wear and tear. The TPR valve protects against that pressure by draining water out of the system. If the valve has failed or the drainage line has clogged, damage can occur. During a service appointment, we’ll check the valve and replace it if necessary.
Water Heater Insulation
All water heaters need insulation on their exposed plumbing. It’s one of the leading causes of inefficiency in water heaters. We will check your insulation and replace it when it’s started to degrade. Fuel-burning furnaces don’t usually need additional insulation. An electric furnace may. That includes an insulated base and water heater jacket. If you need those upgrades, we’ll check those materials as well and replace them as needed.
Your Warranty Likely Requires It
Many homeowners are unaware that water heater warranties often require annual maintenance. After performing service, we’ll provide you with documentation. If you ever need to make a warranty claim, the manufacturer may ask for it. If you can’t provide it for each year that you’ve had the unit, the manufacturer can deny the claim. Check your warranty to see what’s required. If you purchase an extended warranty, check that contract as well. Extended warranties often add to the maintenance required.
Equipment Lifespan and Lowering Total Cost
The average lifespan of a tank water heater is about 10 years. Poorly maintained systems can fail within six years, while well-maintained units can last 15 years or more. The average lifespan of a tankless system is 15 years. With proper maintenance, they can last 25 years or more. Getting an additional five years out of a water heater is a big deal for your household budget. The other consideration is avoiding permanent loss of energy efficiency. A top reason homeowners replace functioning older systems is that they become too expensive to run.
Routine Maintenance Prevents Leaks
All water heaters can leak. The average water heater in American homes can dump 40 to 50 gallons on your floor in a short period of time. That can cause significant water damage, which our plumber will help prevent. We’ll do this through the early identification of bad valves and corrosion.
Regular Service Prevents Repairs
Our plumbers can help you avoid the most common water heater repairs through maintenance. Our experts can spot thermostat issues long before you wake up to no hot water. By inspecting the combustion system, we can prevent pilot light and burner issues. We’ll also identify problems that lead to odd sounds or smelly or rusty water.
Water Heater Maintenance in San Jose
Plumbtree Plumbing & Rooter is a family-owned and operated company that serves homeowners with plumbing services throughout San Jose, CA, and the surrounding areas. Our team performs inspections, installations, maintenance, and repairs. We’re available around the clock for plumbing emergencies. We specialize in both tank and tankless water heaters. Our team can pipe and repipe gas, water, and sewer lines. We deal with water and gas leaks and install and service leak detection equipment. You can count on us to clean and repair your drains. We perform sewer repairs, including hydrojetting and rooter service. Our company also specializes in sump pumps and kitchen and bathroom fixtures, including faucets, toilets, and garbage disposals.
Call today or contact us online with questions or to schedule an appointment.
