What Just In Time’s Water Heater Repair Can Do To Increase The Lifespan Of Your Water Heater | Earlville, IL
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A water heater is one of the most critical appliances in your Earlville, IL home. If it is malfunctioning, appliances and uses that require hot water will not work correctly, making the services of a water heater repair expert necessary. You will not run the dishwasher or do hot or warm water laundry.
If the water heater is not functioning correctly, the daily tasks at your home will not be possible too. You will not be able to take a bath, undertake daily household activities, or even wash your hands. As you can see, a water heater is a vital appliance in ensuring convenience and comfort at your home. Unfortunately, they are prone to damage and malfunctioning like any other plumbing appliance. You should be able to recognize the telltale signs of a malfunctioning water heater like leaks, discolored water, lukewarm water, sounds inside the unit, and so on.
Your ability to tell these signs is vital in determining whether you need a water heater repair service. However, you need more than just a repair; enlisting a plumber’s assistance for regular water heater maintenance can increase its lifespan. Because they are expensive, you need to do whatever possible to extend their lifespan. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to ensure your water heater serves you past the average lifespan.
Inspecting the Anode Rod
The water heater has a metallic rod designed to prevent its tank from rusting. This component is called the anode rod or sacrificial anode. It is called “sacrificial” because its material attracts corrosion to protect the tank. Hence, it becomes used up with time. If the rod corrodes fully, the interiors of the tank might start rusting.
To protect your tank from corrosion, you should enlist the services of a water heater repair technician to check the anode rode each year. If the sacrificial anode is corroded completely, the technician will replace it with a new one. When the issue with the anode rod is detected and the component replaced early, it will ensure that your water heater lasts longer. An anode rode has a lifespan of about three years.
Regular Maintenance Checks
Most water heaters are tucked away in places out of sight. This practice is also common among many Earlville, IL, homes. To extend the lifespan of a water heater, out-of-sight-out-of-mind is a bad practice. Ensure you hire a professional to inspect the water heater monthly. The plumber inspects the water heater as a unit during these inspections and checks for signs of corrosion or damage. They also examine the joints for openings or gaps where water might leak. The plumbers will check the horses to ensure they are appropriately attached and intact. If they notice any problem, they provide water heater repair services and replacements immediately.
Flush the Tank
Ensure you check the water quality inside the tank regularly. Every year or half-yearly, drain a few gallons of water in a bucket. There is nothing to worry about if the water is clear. However, if the water is full of debris and dirt, call a water heater repair expert to clean the water heater.
The debris inside the tank can result in a malfunctioning or a less-efficiently functioning water heater, causing an increase in the monthly energy bills. Dirty water can also make the water heater work harder, wearing it out before reaching its maximum life span. If you have a newer water heater model with a self-cleaning feature, the technician only flushes it every 2-3 years.
Installing a Water Softener
Illinois is a hard water state, with an average water hardness of around 200 PPM. Unfortunately, this means that your home will receive hard water unless your water utility provider has instituted measures to soften the water before they supply it to your home. Hard water can take a toll on the durability of your water heater. When the minerals in hard water are deposited inside the water heater tank, they accumulate and settle on the walls or at the bottom of the tank. The sediments may cause damage or corrosion to the tank.
If the water supplied to your home is hard, contact a water heater repair expert to install or repair the water softening system. The water softener reduces or eliminates the calcium and magnesium ions that could have caused corrosion, increasing your water heater’s lifespan.
Inspecting the Gas Lines
Do you use a gas water heater? If so, ensure you contact a water heater repair to inspect the gas lines regularly. Call a professional plumber immediately if the pipes have cracks or appear corroded. If you neglect or allow the issue to persist, it may result in a gas leak, putting you at risk of catastrophic repercussions.
Testing the Pressure Relief Valve
All water heaters have a pressure relief valve and an inbuilt safety check. When the pressure within the water heater increases, the valve releases the pressure to prevent an explosion. Since this safety feature is vital, you want it to function correctly. Fortunately, Just In Time Plumbing can help you with this.
You can find the level on the top or either side of the water heater, depending on the water heater model at your home. You should lift the lever every month. Call a water heater repair expert immediately if the water is not released from the discharge pipe when you lift the lever. This is a sign that the relief valve needs replacement. A broken valve may result in a disaster, putting you and your family at risk of harm. That is why you want it replaced immediately.
Check for Crowding
If the water heater is in your closet or basement, you should check to ensure there is enough room around it. If you use the closet or basement for storage, ensure that the area isn’t overcrowded. Ensure you have enough space around your water heater to inspect it thoroughly. You also have to ensure there is a room where air can circulate. This reduces fire risk, and a water heater repair technician can help.
Your Trusted Water Repair Experts in Earlville, IL
Simple tasks and regular inspections can significantly increase your water heater’s lifespan. However, do not repair your water heater yourself. Contact Just In Time to help with routine maintenance, inspections, and occasional water heater repair. Upon inspecting and diagnosing the issue with your water heater, the waters heater technician will resolve it.
Do you want to schedule yearly maintenance or repair of the water heater? Call Just In Time Plumbing today.