Everyone loves having a hot shower or bath whenever they want, but a lot of us take our water heaters for granted given that these appliances provide this incredible luxury on a daily basis.
It’s absolutely critical to conduct regular water heater service checkup appointments at your home or business at least on a yearly basis, because maintaining your water heater will mean preventing potential breakdowns and costly repairs.
The biggest problem that homeowners come across is that they don’t know what to look for when they’re checking up on their water heater, so here are five essential things that you should keep on eye on when it comes to your yearly water heater checkups!
Water Heater Condition & Age
It may seem rather easy to check up on the overall condition of your water heater when you conduct these types of checkups, but this is an important step to ensure the overall quality and longevity of your prized appliance. Water heaters simply wear down over long periods of time, so you should know just how old it is and how much longer you’ll ultimately have until you’ll need to start thinking about a replacement.
Your water heater should last around 10-15 years or longer when you conduct regular checkups and have professional upkeep appointments, so simply looking over things each year will go a long way in ensuring that you aren’t overlooking any lingering issues!
Leaks & Connections
Having a leaky water heater can mean that you’re going to end up needing a replacement, but it could also mean that only your connections need to be replaced or tightened. That’s why it’s always best to thoroughly check over your water heater connections on a yearly basis to better ensure that no leaks are possible.
If you do recognize a leak, then you’re going to need professional plumbing support right away. A plumbing specialist will be able to identify the cause of the leak, because these issues tend to be more complex.
Temperature
Another thing to check up on each year is the temperature setting of your water heater, because this will help you recognize how efficient your water heater is functioning. This type of test requires filling up water sources and then taking manual temperature readings, but it’s an important step to make sure that there are no discrepancies between your thermostat and household’s water temperature.
Anode Rod
Your water heater’s anode rod is the aluminum coated steel wire that prevents rusting within your water heater. This anode rod is actually designed to wear down over long periods of time to protect your actual water tank from rusting, which is why it’s so crucial to check this part of your water heater out each year!
You’ll need to replace your anode rod if more than 6 inches of exposed steel is apparent, and it’s important to note that this will wear down or be covered in sediment after many years of usage.
Sediment Buildup
Sediment buildup just so happens to be one of the most common issues that water heaters go through, and homeowners should understand that sediment will likely build up on the bottom of their water tanks on a yearly basis. This is why it’s very important to have your water heater tank flushed out at least on a yearly basis.
Reach Out To Your Local Plumbing Team For A Water Heater Service Each Year!
Although a lot of people will try to do DIY water heater checkups, your best bet is always to call in the professionals to look things over for you. Water heater service on a yearly basis is the best way to obtain the best ROI from your water heater purchase, because it’ll ensure that your water heater will last for many years to come!
