As chilly weather approaches, you’re going to want to be ready for it. Your furnace or boiler needs a tune-up. That box of coats, hats, and mittens needs to come out of storage. You certainly don’t want to freeze when winter catches you unprepared!
One thing that’s never any fun is a cold shower, and it’s even worse when it happens on an icy winter day. While you’re preparing for the season, think about your water heater, too. Water heater maintenance is a simple and cost-effective way to prevent all kinds of unpleasant problems. Here’s what you should know.
Prevent Breakdowns and Repair Needs
That cold shower is only going to happen if your water heater is having a serious problem, like a failed heating element. But there are a lot of other things that can go wrong, too! Temperature fluctuations, water pressure problems, leaks, rust, and even smelly, discolored water can all happen when a water heater needs repair.
Of course, we’re happy to help whenever something does go wrong. But it’s much more pleasant for you if the problems can be avoided altogether! Maintenance will prevent all kinds of minor issues that can develop into bigger problems like those.
Extend Water Heater Life
A water heater is not the longest-lasting home system. It will generally only be in good working order for eight to twelve years. (Tankless systems can last quite a bit longer, up to twenty years.) The tricky part is that they’ll only last that long if they’re kept in good condition! And the only way to do that is with regular water heater maintenance from a qualified plumber.
The biggest factor in water heater retirement age is corrosion. Rust is inevitable when a system is made of metal and large amounts of water flow through it all the time. Water heaters do have special coatings to help them last as long as possible, and they also have a component called the anode rod. This attracts the ions that would cause oxidation, and it must be replaced regularly during maintenance.
Enjoy Peace of Mind
If you know your water heater is in tip-top shape, you won’t have to be concerned about anything going wrong. You’ll be confident that your shower will be hot. There won’t be any worrisome burbling noises, drips and puddles causing water damage to your home, or bacteria growing in your water heater’s tank that could make you ill. You can simply enjoy the plentiful hot water with no worries.
Keep Your Family Safe
Exploding water heaters might cross your mind as a problem, but this is not actually a very realistic scenario. However, there are safety issues that can occur when a water heater is in very poor condition. It may split or burst, damaging anything—or injuring anyone—close to it.
Of greater concern is the energy source. Electric water heaters can cause issues like electric shock or even electrical fire if their wiring is allowed to deteriorate or be damaged. And if you have a gas water heater, you could be at risk of gas leaks or even carbon monoxide. It’s not worth the risk to you, your family, and your home. Get regular maintenance done!
If you have any concerns about your water heater in Des Plaines, IL, reach out to us.
For expert plumbing service, water heater installations, or maintenance, contact Reliance Plumbing Sewer & Drainage, Inc. Our knowledgeable plumbers serve the North Shore and Northwest Chicago suburbs. Rely on Reliance!