A water heater is, of course, a significant investment. Therefore, as soon as you purchase a new one, it follows that you might want to know some of the ways with which you can make your water heater last longer.
If, however, you are looking into water heaters because you know the time limit on yours is just about up, Plumbing by Jake can help you select one that fits your home and budget. Give us a call today at (928) 377-5910, and we can provide you with some budget-friendly options on both your new equipment and its installation.
Flush the Tank
One of the ways you can extend the life of your water heater is to flush the tank annually. The reason for this is your water heater naturally filters out sediment and impurities from your water supply and, over time that stuff builds up. If you do not properly clean out that buildup, it can actually cause your water heater to burst.
Flushing the tank is an incredibly painless process. First, turn off the power and water to the heater. Then, turn on a faucet and let it run the hot water until there is no hot water left. That’s it! You can also turn the cold water back on and do this again. You might also want to drain some of the water out of the drain valve, located at the bottom of the tank. Doing this should clear out a majority of the sediment, which will significantly reduce the amount of buildup in your tank.
Schedule Routine Maintenance
One of the best ways to prevent large problems from happening is to have someone iron out the small problems before they get worse. Moreover, sometimes you do not even know you have a small problem until it turns into a larger one.
Fortunately, with routine maintenance, a plumber can easily spot and fix any quirks that your water heater may be displayed before the issue gets any worse. This means tightening up any loose connections, patching any smaller leaks, or replacing a worn-out part.
Plumbing by Jake can easily set you up with a routine maintenance contract that will not break the bank. Plus, you can enjoy the relief that comes from never having to worry about your water heater again because we’ll do the worrying (and fixing) for you!
Check the Anode Rod
Another way to extend the life of your water heater is to keep an eye on the anode rod. The anode, or “sacrificial,” rod is pretty crucial to your water heater in that it prevents the steel in your tank from corroding. It does this by attracting corrosive materials to it so they stick to the anode rod, rather than your tank.
The point of the anode rod, then, is to get corroded. So, if yours is, then you know that it’s doing a good job. The problem is that once it becomes too corroded, you will need to replace it. If you do not, the rod will no longer be able to conduct these materials, and they will begin to erode your tank instead.
Insulate Your Tank
You can protect your water heater by insulating its tank. This is something you only need to do once, so the earlier you do it after buying a new water heater, the better.
All you need to do is wrap an insulation blanket around your tank. This can make your water heater up to 40 percent more efficient. Moreover, a better-working water heater means it will not strain to do its job effectively, thereby extending the life of the machine.
Having Trouble with Your Water Heater? Call Plumbing By Jake!
If you need a new water heater, or if you would like to schedule routine maintenance, give Plumbing by Jake a call. What’s better is that our plumbers are available 24/7 in the event you have a plumbing emergency of any kind – not just one concerning your water heater.
Call (928) 377-5910 anytime, day or night. You can also use the contact form on our website in the event of a non-emergency.
At Plumbing by Jake, we are proud to offer all our customers a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all parts, installations, and repairs. We understand our customers have busy schedules, and so we aim to be as punctual as possible so you do not have to “wait all day for the repairman.” So, if you have an emergency involving your water heater, or if you are considering installing a new one, don’t wait – give us a call today!
