Everyone has heard, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” While it is completely true, that doesn’t mean to ignore the subject at hand. Checking up on your appliances to ensure they are working efficiently helps to extend its lifespan. The average lifespan of a water heater is 8-13 years. Your water heater might be running as good now as the day you bought it, but in a blink of an eye, its functionality can stop.
Below are helpful tips to aide and strengthen a prospective future with your current water heater.
Protection
Most importantly is the safety and welfare of the individual inspecting the water heater. Wear protective clothing, goggles and gloves when starting this DIY job. You will also need a bucket and hose for any water draining.
Check for Leaks and Concerns
Once all is prepared, the first step is to check for any leaks! Look around and see if there is any water build-up around the water heater. Common places are around the bottom or the temperature/pressure release valve. Other key places are the water flow pipes that bring in cold water and send out hot. While looking for leaks, be on the lookout for possible corrosion and obstructions.
Listen Closely
While going through these procedures, make sure to listen. Signs of a failing water heater might include noises coming from the inside reminiscent to whining, whistling or crackling. When in doubt of if you hear anything, call in an expert – like Faulstick!
Interior Check
Moving on to the interior. An important area to examine is the anode rod, commonly inserted for the top of the water heater. As described in a previous article, hard water can cause damage to even the finest quality of equipment. The anode rod helps to stop the beginnings of rust and sometimes corrosion; however, it also aides in the breakdown of hard water.
PRO TIP: consider is if there is an excess of hard water to the local area, much like the Poconos. More frequent checks of the anode rod might be required to prolong the life of your water heater.
Drainage
The next step is the drain the water heater and check for residue or deposits left at the bottom of the tank. Any buildup can also shorten the life of a water heater.
Trust Faulstick
If at any point an issue appears during your DIY inspection, call Graydon Faulstick Plumbing immediately at (570) 992-0447. Wasting time waiting and trying to do a quick self-repair can further damage and even destroy the water heater. With over 40 years of experience, Graydon Faulstick Plumbing knows how to get to the root of the problem quickly and efficiently providing you with detailed explanation and knowledge every step of the way.
