Delaying water heater maintenance is never a good idea. It pays and saves you money in the long run to follow a good water heater maintenance checklist and to get a yearly inspection. When you are proactive with maintaining your water heater, you can help prevent future problems and an early failure. Ultimately, we want to lengthen the life and use of your existing water heater. No one enjoys an unexpected cold shower, so let us get right into the guide.

VISIUAL INSPECTION

Perform a visual inspection of the water heater and the connections. Look for leaks in, on and around your water heater. Leaking water heaters can cause a lot of damage to your home fast. If you notice that your water heater is leaking you should contact a plumber near you in a timely manner to prevent further issues. The next thing to look for is lynt, cobwebs or dust buildup around the base where the air intake is located. If the water heater can not breath properly it will have to work harder to provide you with hot water. Some water heaters have a filter at the base that can be removed and cleaned. Cleaning and dusting around the water heater is something easy that any homeowner can do themselves. Another thing to look at, is the overall condition and age of the water heater. Depending on the age and condition it might just be time to call your local plumber to have them furnish and install a new water heater, the typical life expectancy can be anywhere for 10-15 years old. You can give us a call at RootBusters Plumbing at 844-247-7668

FLUSHING THE WATER HEATER

Flushing your water heater should be done once a year, and this is usually an easy thing to do.  To flush your water heater, you will need to connect a garden hose to the drain down valve, located at the bottom of the water heater. Run your hose to a functional drain or outside. A pit with a pump will work as well. You will then need to open the valve on the drain to the water heater, allowing the water to flow through the hose for 60 seconds. Please note to leave the inlet valve on going to the water heater allowing the fresh water to force the sediment and debris out through the hose. Sediment build-up at the bottom of your water heater makes it harder to heat the water, thus shortening the life span and the recovery time of your hot water.

7 SIGNS YOUR WATER HEATER NEEDS SERVICING

·      No hot water

·      How water runs out quickly

·      Takes a long time to heat water

·       Rust or discolored hot water

·      Water leaks from the tank

·      Noises when hot water is in use

·      Smell of gas

If you notice any of these 7 signs, it is best to not delay in getting your water heater maintenance to prevent further problems.

Next are 3 reasons why you should schedule a yearly water heater inspection.

1. Protect Your Family

   It is possible for a faulty gas water heater to leak carbon monoxide into your home. This is an extremely dangerous situation due to the fact that carbon monoxide has no odor and is deadly. Possible signs and symptoms of carbon dioxide poisoning are; upset stomach, dizziness, physical weakness, headache, chest pain and vomiting. The most common reason this can happen is due to a poorly vented water heater. A plumber can inspect your water heater to make sure it is properly vented.

2. Prevent Major Problems

   If you ignore your water heater maintenance and delay inspection you are taking a major risk or creating a bigger problem. The longer a homeowner goes without having their water heater fully inspected increase the chance of malfunction. If you see any of the above seven signs that your water heater needs maintenance or you just need a yearly professional inspection give us a call at 844-247-7668 to address things before they get beyond repair.

3. Lower Your Costs

   For a water heater to operate efficiently and properly it takes a significant amount of energy. It is estimated that your water heater accounts for 18% of your home energy use. This is IF your hot water heater is working properly, if not it could be costing you significantly more than you even realize. Having a yearly water heater inspection will help keep it running efficiently and at peak performance.

If you follow the instructions provided, you will help lengthen the life of your water heater and help to ensure that it is operating properly and efficiently. You can schedule a free estimate with RootBusters Plumbing today by calling 844-247-7668.