Don’t Put Off Replacing Your Old Water Heater

Water heaters are the unsung heroes of most homes. For years they provide hot water for showers, cleaning and bath-time, yet many never even receive regular maintenance. Most water heaters can last up to ten years, more if they are serviced annually as suggested. But like all equipment, eventually these large tanks will be ready to be replaced. If you wait too long, you may be saddled with large costs from the damage that can occur when a water heater finally gives out.

When a water heater is several years old and has not been maintained, there is a good chance it has collected minerals and lime inside the tank. This accumulation can cause rust and corrosion of the tank from the inside out. While regular maintenance can slow this process, it will still happen over time and can lead to a water leak in the tank. This is the end of the water heater and it can be a very expensive lesson to learn for the homeowner.

If the hole or seam breaks through when no one is home or notices, the water damage can be severe. Most water heaters hold around 70 gallons, which is a large amount of water to pour into your home unabated. This amount of water can ruin floors and cause structural damage, even lead to hazardous mold issues down the road.

Don’t wait too long to replace your old water heater. If it begins to make strange sounds, has heating issues or is over a decade old, consider immediate replacement. Call your local plumber to discuss installation of a new unit as soon as possible to avoid the expensive consequences of waiting too long.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

Is Your Water Heater Working Too Hard?

Minerals and other components in your water can lead to build-up in your water heater, wasting energy and causing stress on the unit. Especially in homes with well water, there may be a high level of mineral content, which can build mineral formations inside your water heater. This build-up may be making it harder for your water heater to do its job, and can eventually lead to its demise.

Problems With Mineral Build-Up

The minerals in your water can often settle at the bottom of your water tank, eventually creating mineral formations inside the tank itself. Along with these formations, a layer of build-up can create a type of insulation between the heating elements and the water. This can make it harder for your water heater to do its job, using more energy and costing you more money. In addition, this excess heat can transfer to the surrounding metal tank, causing it to be more susceptible to leaks.

These mineral build-ups happen all the time, especially in homes with hard water. However, there are ways to reduce the strain to make your water heater last longer. The best advice is to have routine maintenance performed on your water heater at least once a year, which includes draining the unit and removing this excess mineral build-up that can put such a strain on your water heater.

Your local plumbing professional can perform a full annual maintenance service on your water heater, usually increasing the life of your water heater. This can save you the expense of needing a water heater repair or replacement, as well as save you on your energy bill.

Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing