Water heaters are vital for the habitability of any home. A water heater provides hot water for daily needs such as showering, laundry, and washing dishes. However, many people don’t know how to maintain their water heaters. As a result, homeowners may ignore their water heater until it’s too late to extend its life. There are ways to take care of your water heater to make it last longer. To help improve your water heater’s lifespan, you can do the following:
- Drain the tank: You should drain your water heater’s tank once a year to remove sediment. Sediment can accumulate in your tank over time, leading to corrosion. Sediment built-up can also reduce the efficiency of your water heater, leading to increased energy bills. Draining the tank once a year will keep the water heater running efficiently. It can also extend the life of the water heater by preventing corrosion.
- Annual maintenance: Having your water heater checked annually can mean having fewer issues. During an annual maintenance appointment, a professional plumber can inspect, clean, and adjust the water heater. Regular maintenance as a preventative measure can extend the life of your water heater.
- Check the anode rod: The anode rod is vital to preventing corrosion in a water heater. An anode rod is a metal rod that attracts corrosive elements in water, such as minerals and salt. The anode rod attracts those elements to prevent other components from rusting. The rod eventually rusts and needs replacement. Failing to replace the anode rod when it becomes corroded allows other parts of the water heater to corrode. As a result, checking and replacing the anode rod is vital to extending the lifespan of your water heater.
- Insulate the water heater’s tank: In a typical household, the water heater runs daily. Insulating the water heater’s tank can reduce heat loss, improve efficiency, and reduce the workload on the heating elements. The less the heating elements have to work, the longer they will last, extending the life of your water heater.
- Lower the water temperature: The higher the water temperature, the harder the heating elements need to work. The harder the heating elements work, the more wear and tear they will experience. As a result, if you want to extend the life of your water heater, you should consider lowering the water temperature.
- Install an expansion tank: Expansion tanks can lessen the pressure on water heating systems, extending the water heater’s life. Additionally, an expansion tank can ensure constant pressure in your pipes, so they are not damaged. Having an expansion tank installed can make a difference in the lifespan of your water heater.
- Check the pressure relief valve: A pressure relief valve is installed on a water heater to prevent excessive pressure from building up. When there is an excess of pressure in a water heater or pipes, it can cause serious issues, including explosions. The pressure relief valve releases water or steam from the system when the pressure reaches a certain level. Having the pressure valve inspected regularly and replacing it if it is malfunctioning is essential in extending the life of your water heater.
- Don’t overwork your water heater: The more you use your water heater, the lower the lifespan because of wear and tear. Reducing the amount of hot water you use daily can increase the life of your water heater. For example, if you regularly do small loads of laundry, consider doing it less often with a larger load. Getting creative about using less hot water in a way that doesn’t affect your life can make a difference in how long your water heater lasts.
- Use a water softener: Depending on where you live, you may have hard water. If you have hard water, it can cause minerals to build up in your water heater. The buildup can reduce the efficiency of the water heater and cause corrosion. Installing a water softener can help reduce the number of minerals passing through your water heater, effectively increasing the lifespan of your water heater.
Doing the above can extend your water heater’s life, saving you money and reducing the odds of waking up to a cold shower. The professional team at Indigo Home and Facility Services can provide services that extend the life of your water heater.
Our reliable Austin plumbers can help you take preventative measures and ensure your water heater is in good working order. Contact us today at (512) 608-4999 for an appointment.