What Upkeep Do Water Heaters Need?
Written on: August 5, 2024
Just a Little Maintenance Keeps You in Hot Water
You probably don’t realize how important your water heater is until it breaks down. It’s more than just hot showers: it’s hot water for laundry and dishwashing. The typical household uses about 65 gallons of hot water a day.
The good news is that no matter whether you have a tank style or a tankless unit, water heaters are fairly low maintenance. Just a little routine care will help your water heater can last longer and perform better—and more efficiently—for many years. Here’s what you need to know:
Tank Type Units
Corrosion is the main problem for tank-style water heaters. Corrosion causes your water heater tank to rust, develop leaks, and eventually fail. The first line of defense against corrosion is the anode rod—a steel wire surrounded with aluminum, magnesium or zinc that mounts inside your water heater tank. The anode rod attracts corrosive elements in water to the rod, rather than the tank lining. As long as the rod remains intact, your water heater tank is well-protected from rusting. Eventually, however, the anode rod will degrade to the point that it will no longer protect your tank.
While it’s possible to check it yourself, our techs will do it as part of our regular maintenance, and they’ll replace it if necessary. Typically, they last at least a few years, but it can depend on factors such as your water’s acidity and how much water you use. Using a water softener can shorten the lifespan of your anode rod by half.
You should also keep an eye on the exterior of your tank—signs of corrosion include rust, as well as puddles under your tank and rusty water at the tap.
Tankless Units
If you’ve made the switch to tankless water heating, you don’t need to worry about anode rods or corrosion. But you do need to remove scale buildup in your system. Scale can accumulate more quickly in tankless water heaters, and it will eventually affect performance if left unchecked. Some units (like those from Rinnai) will even remind you when it’s time to perform maintenance!
The way to do this is to flush the system once a year—although if you have very hard water, you may need to do it twice a year. The good news is that it’s easy to do.
Most systems have flush kits installed that make it easy for you to run a vinegar solution through the unit in a loop. It’s not hard to do yourself, if you feel handy, and manufacturers provide instructions, or you can have our pros perform the task for you.
Know the Signs
There are a few signs that your water heater is reaching the end of its lifespan. You’ll notice higher energy bills, as well as water not getting as hot. Here are other signs to look for:
- Rust: Is the heated water that comes from your tank rusty? That’s a big danger sign because it means that your water heater is corroding.
- Leaks: If you notice water around the base of your water tank, the likely culprit is a leak in the tank. Turn off the tank’s water supply and contact us right away for an inspection of your water heater.
- Strange Noises: Rumbling noises in your water heater tank are a common sign of sediment buildup in your tank. That sediment can reduce your water heater’s efficiency. Left unattended, will lead to corrosion that can reduce the lifespan of your water heater.
- Hard water: The extra minerals in hard water can lead to lime buildup in your water heater, decreasing it’s efficiency and shortening it’s life.
Ready to replace your water heater (most last about 10 years if well maintained)? Want to learn more about the benefits of energy-efficient tankless water heaters? The pros at Pico Propane can help you choose the best option for your needs, and install it properly. Enjoy energy efficiency and all the hot water you need with a new water heater! Contact us today to get started.
