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FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE LIFESPAN OF A WATER TANKS HEATER
Below, we’ve highlighted a few elements that influence a water heater’s lifespan:
Water Quality
Your heater’s lifespan will probably be shortened by roughly two years if it heats hard water the majority of the time. The minerals in hard water make the heater less effective.
To get rid of minerals before they reach your appliances, use softeners.
Maintaining Techniques
Your heater may become damaged after a few years if you don’t perform routine maintenance and repairs. A well-maintained water heater, however, may last longer than you might anticipate.
The Heater’s Materials
A water heater will certainly live longer than those made of steel if it is constructed from a premium material like fiberglass.
Origin of Power
A water heater may use electricity or natural gas, depending on the manufacturer’s specifications. Gas-powered heaters have been shown to last at least one to two years less than electric heaters.
The installation’s location
The heater will struggle to maintain the desired water temperature if it is installed in a chilly crawl space. The heater will degrade quickly and may even malfunction.
Installing your heater in a temperature-controlled home will ensure that it lasts longer.
HOW TO DETERMINE THE AGE OF A WATER HEATER
We can now anticipate the number of years a water heater will last and choose when to replace it. However, you can only do this if you are aware of the heater’s age.
In some circumstances, you may purchase a used heater without knowing its age. How would you determine the heater’s age if such were the case?
In this case, look up the serial number of the water heater. The month and year that the heater was made are shown by the letters on it and the first two numbers.
WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR WATER HEATER
When you notice any of the signs below, make arrangements to purchase a new water heater:
groaning sounds
You can start to hear some odd noises coming from the heater when it boils the water as it gets older. When you use a lot of hot water in your home, the noises could get louder.
The sediment buildup at the bottom of your water tank is primarily to blame for this. I advise you to flush water at least once a year to prevent sediment development at the tank’s bottom.
Increased rust
It is sufficient to know that your heater is on the verge of failure if it begins to corrode. Even though the majority of heaters are made of stainless steel, over time they may rust. The rust may begin gradually and progress until it affects the heater.
You’ll start noticing corrosion or rust around the water inlet connection, water outlet connection, and pressure relief valve. Unfortunately, replacement is the only option you have for a water heater that has started to corrode or rust.
Hot Water Tank Leak
Your water heater needs to be replaced as soon as it begins to leak. When water heaters begin to rust and corrode from the inside, they begin to leak. If you don’t take care of the issue, it could result in physical harm or property damage.
Choose tankless water heaters to prevent leaks. To be informed when a leak occurs, you can also install a leak detector beneath the heater tank. Fortunately, there are numerous water sensor alarms for these purposes.
Providing Cold or Lukewarm Water
You should replace the heater if either lukewarm or cold water begins to flow from your faucet in place of hot water. A damaged heating element may be to blame.
The thermostat and heating element of the heater can both be fixed when they malfunction. You’ll need to replace the heater with a larger one if it produces cold water as a result of your home’s demand exceeding its capacity.
A Water Heater Replacement
It could be time to get a new heater if yours is starting to malfunction. However, you can get in touch with the manufacturer to have a look at it before you buy a new one if it is only a few days old and the guarantee is still in place.
HOW TO MAINTAIN WATER HEATER TO MAKE IT LAST LONG
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Every year, clean the water heater tank.
The water heater tank should be flushed annually, according to almost every water heater manufacturer. However, emptying it does not flush the water heater on its own.
The proper method to drain water from your water heater should be found in the manufacturer’s manual. For instance, adhere to the guidelines below if you have a Bradford White water heater:
- Deactivate the gas water heater’s valve. Turn off the water heater’s electrical source if it is an electric one.
- Turn off your water heater’s cold-water supply.
- Turn the hot water faucet on.
- Attach a hosepipe to your water heater’s drain valve, then run it to the drain.
- Start the drain valve and allow your tank completely empty.
- Turn on your water heater’s cold-water supply; • Allow water to drain out of your drain valve after passing through the water heater. Perform this for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Shut off the drain valve and wait for the tank to fill. Keep your hot water faucet open at the same time. When water starts flowing from the faucet, the tank is full.
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Change the Anode Rod If It Has Corrosion
Anode rods are installed by manufacturers in water heater tanks to stop the interior from rusting. Every time you drain the tank, you must annually inspect the anode rod.
Always keep in mind that replacing an anode rod with corrosion is less expensive than replacing the heater as a whole. Hot water may quickly corrode the interior of the tank due to a defective anode rod, reducing the tank’s lifespan.
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Make Your Hot Water Tank Insulated
The long-term advantages of insulating your water heater outweigh the one-time cost. Your water heater’s efficiency can be increased by at least 40% by insulating the tank.
Energy efficiency can result in significant electricity bill savings.
Fun Fact
What year did Rick Hudson begin his plumbing career? Find the answer on our About Us | Plumbing Tulsa | Acts of Service Plumbing! When it comes to finding plumbing professionals with years of experience, you’ll find we are seasoned plumbers!
One of the many companies we’ve had the pleasure of serving faithfully over the years is Paul Davis Corporate – Restoration and Emergency Service Provider. Learn more about them today!
If you need water heater tank repairs, count on our team today!