Why Your Hot Water Heater Needs a Maintenance Check
As the last vestiges of summer fade away and fall approaches, homeowners need to prepare their homes for the cooler temperatures. Hot water plays an essential role in daily life from cooking to cleaning, but during the colder months, we rely on it for soothing warm showers to defrost our bodies from the frigid temperatures. The thought of hot water loss in the winter terrifies all homeowners. Who wants to take a freezing cold shower in the winter? On top of the major inconveniences, unexpected hot water heater replacements place financial burden on homeowners. The national hot water heater replacement cost averaged above $1000.00 per heater. Fortunately, if you schedule routine maintenance checks on your heater each year, your lower the chance of failure during inopportune times, like the middle of winter. If you have never scheduled a maintenance check for your water heater, schedule one immediately. On average a gas water heater lasts eight to twelve years if properly maintained. Without proper maintenance, the risk of premature failure sooner increases. If your heater falls into the eight to twelve-year range, start planning to replace the heater soon. This allows you to budget for it in advance rather than dig into your emergency fund because of unexpected failure. Sometimes the heater provides warning signs of imminent failure, but other symptoms require the expert diagnosis of a professional to discover. We listed five warning signs that require the immediate attention of a professional.
Hot Water Heater Warning Signs
- Boiling noises – If your water heater makes hissing or whining noises call a professional. These signs accompany boiling water. Hot water heaters heat your water to safe temperatures for cooking, washing, and cleaning. Average temperatures fall within the 120° to 150° Fahrenheit range, cap at 180°, and never reach the boiling point if functioning proper. Excess sediment builds up and causes the tank’s temperature to rise and the water to boil the water. This requires a professional to flush the tank to clear the sediment. Sometimes flushing the tank fails and you need to replace the heater.
- Lukewarm water – Consistent lukewarm water indicates a problem with the heating system of the water heater. Sometimes this comes with age, while other times malfunctioning parts cause the heating system failure.
- Discolored/Odor – Discoloration of the water or funky smells always alert owners of an immediate issue. Rust, sediment, and other issues cause discoloration, while a nasty smell often signifies the presence of bacteria in the tank.
Corroded tank – Visible rust spots and leaks around the tank suggest corrosion of the hot water heater and usually requires a replacement.- Low Supply of Hot Water – A low supply of hot water possibly means that your household uses more hot water than your tank can hold, and you need to upgrade to a bigger tank. It also relates to issues with the heating system as well.
Annual maintenance checks provide the preventative solution for hot water heater failure. Of course, like all things, hot water heaters have a life expectancy. Nothing lasts forever; however, proper maintenance extends your hot water heater’s useful life span. Schedule your appointment for a hot water heater maintenance check today. Scheduling today may save you time, inconvenience, and money in the future. As a special thank you for reading our blog post, we’re offering a coupon for $50.00 off hot water heater installations (valid through December 31st, 2019). As always, follow us on Facebook for more content each week.
