Did you know that most water heaters last between 8 to 12 years? However, tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years if properly maintained. Regular maintenance and the quality of your water can significantly impact the life span of your water heater. Replacing a water heater is never a pleasant surprise. That's why I want to share some helpful tips for preventive maintenance and recommend a few products that have proven to benefit our customers and their water heaters. Stick around to learn how to keep your water heater in great shape and avoid unexpected replacements.
Regular Maintenance
- Draining your hot water tank is a straight forward way to get rid of built-up sediment and debris that can damage your water heater. Sediment and debris can reduce your water heater’s efficiency or even build up to the point of complete failure of the water heater’s components or the tank itself. I have heard of people doing this twice a year, but I feel like doing it once a year is typically good for most people. Scale build-up can reduce the water heater's overall efficiency by 50%.In addition to this, I recommend installing a ScaleRX valve that will eliminate up to 76% of scale deposits, reducing the amount of build-up that occurs and ensuring that you water heater will last longer. ScaleRX also works with tankless water heaters, where using this type of product is even more critical in ensuring that the water heater is able to function properly for 20 or more years.
- Finally, I like to check the pressure-relief valve by lifting the lever on the valve to ensure that water comes out of the discharge pipe. If it does not discharge water, this valve needs to be replaced. The pressure-relief valve serves an important safety function for your water heater by ensuring that if the pressure in your tank reaches dangerous levels, the tank can safely discharge water, relieving the pressure. This will prevent potential tragedies and should be done on a semi-regular basis.
Don't wait until it's too late. Catching even small problems with your water heater can save you money and prevent damage to your property. By being proactive, you can avoid costly repairs down the line. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
