Does Your Water Heater Need Services?

Tips to Protect Your Water Heater From Service Issues

Have you ever been in the middle of a shower and the water turns from nice and hot to ice-cold? Or perhaps you were washing dishes in lukewarm water when it suddenly felt like ice cubes were being placed on your hand. In either circumstance, the importance of a functioning water heater became crystal clear. This article discusses how a water heater works, what might cause the heater to stop working correctly, and how to maintain your unit properly.

The Ins and Outs of Water Heaters

A water heater is basically a basin with a heating mechanism in the basin to keep water warm. Some newer water heaters don’t use a tank, instead, using an on-demand system.

However, the tank model is the most commonly found in homes. In order to keep the water within the basin warm, the basin is usually surrounded by a layer of some type of insulator.

The tank has a dip tube that allows water to enter the basin in its cool state. Once the water enters, it sinks to the bottom so it can get heated. The shut-off valve to stop water from coming in is usually located above the unit. A pipe commonly referred to as the heat pipe is located toward the top of the container to allow the now heated water to leave the tank.

A thermostat is usually in the tank so you can check and control the temperature of the water. At the bottom of the tank is the heating mechanism. Electric heaters use heating elements while gas water heaters have a burner do the heating. A drain valve is at the bottom to allow for easy, fast-draining, and a pressure relief valve is put in to maintain the pressure. To prevent corrosion, a rod made of magnesium or aluminum called the sacrificial anode is placed in the tank.

Common Water Heater Services

There are many reasons why your water heater might not be working anymore. Water heaters typically last no more than thirteen years, so if yours is older than that then it’s probably not working. Water heaters also can suffer from rusting from the inside and build-up of sediment.

High water pressure and improper sizing can also cause the heater to stop working. Water heaters are also prone to leaking close to the supply line. If the leak is left alone for long enough, it can lead to corrosion of the tank and tank failure.

How to Properly Care for a Water Heater

To prevent the need for water heater repair, you should regularly inspect your heater to make sure nothing is going wrong, like that common supply line leak. If you think there might be mold or damage on the tank, call a plumber for an inspection.

Consider draining your water heater once a year or so to clear out any possible build-ups in the tank. Also, if you have an electric water heater, check your circuit breaker regularly to make sure it’s in working order.

Get a Local Plumber to Help

Nixco Plumbing, Inc. has been providing superior plumbing professionals to the Mason area since 1978. With experience in leak fixes to water softener supplying to sewage line repairs, Nixco Plumbing, Inc. is the go-to company for plumbing needs. Contact Nixco Plumbing, Inc. today for any of your water needs.