Everyone loves hot water. Hot water tanks, however, are a neglected and forgotten part of your home’s plumbing system. Until the day they fail, that is. Then, it’s an emergency. Taking care of your hot water heater is not hard. Whether you do it yourself or hire professionals like HomeSquare, regular maintenance can extend its life and expose any problems before your hot water fails.
Because regular hot water heater maintenance is so important, it’s part of the HomeSquare Essentials plan, performed once per year. Most hot water heaters will last 8-12 years, longer with proper maintenance.
Symptoms of a Failing Hot Water Heater
Several different symptoms point to a hot water heater which may be approaching the end of its life:
- Corrosion on the body of the hot water heater. If any of the metal of the tank has rusted through, then the heater should be replaced. Other signs of corrosion include the presence of rusty water in the pan underneath the tank, or rust-colored water coming out of your faucets.
- Is there less hot water being produced in your home, with no changes to temperature settings on the heater? There could be a problem.
- Moisture around the tank. There might be a slow leak that will worsen over time if not addressed. Obviously, if the area is flooded the unit is probably beyond repair and needs to be replaced.
- Visual clues in the burner components. Inspect the burner by removing the front cover of the heater. As the hot water heater goes bad, the different components of the burner become clogged and rusty.
The team at This Old House says it best:
“The benefits of caring for your water heater are clear. Adding insulation reduces heat loss by up to 45 percent and can shave as much as 9 percent off water-heating costs. Flushing sediment from the tank improves efficiency and longevity. And making sure a viable anode rod hangs in the tank will help prevent its inside from rusting out. A used-up rod is far cheaper to replace than a new heater.”
How HomeSquare Can Help With Hot Water Heater Maintenance
Annual flushing of the hot water heater, along with inspection of the burner and the entire unit, can prevent most surprises. ORDER THIS SERVICE NOW.
Customers on our Essentials plan get hot water heater service as part of their annual plan, for no extra charge. TRY ESSENTIALS now. There’s no obligation, and all the services under the plan are 40% off regular prices.
