Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Tips Of Hot Water Heater Replacement

By Brian Winters


Having rusty-colored water coming out of your pipes together with a foul odor is an obvious sign that you need a timely water heater replacement. Sometimes, flushing and draining the tank might solve the problem. Sediment buildup inside the tanks is a normal water heater problem for all homeowners who don't perform regular water heater maintenance.

It is easy to neglect the bottom of a rusted tank until the hot water floods your basement or streams through the floorboards. Homeowners are most likely to ignore their heaters up until it stops generating hot water. It is important to take action to avoid staining your clothes or taking showers in scummy water. Do not wait until the problem arises before inspecting your tank regularly. Start now before it's too late.

To protect the water heater from rust and corrosion, an aluminum or magnesium anode rod is needed in every storage tank. An anode rod works like a magnet that attracts charged water molecules inside the tank to prevent the internal components from corroding. You may need to drain the tank beforehand to inspect the rod thoroughly. If it measures less than of an inch, have it replaced immediately. Rusty internal components can lessen the heating efficiency of your water heater in the long run.

A unit with a 12-year warranty usually has two anode rods installed while a heater with a 6-year warranty only has one. If you have a commercial-sized tank, you may need to install a lot of anode rods to keep the unit in tip-top shape. Through electrolysis, the anode rod protects other metal components from rusting once they are connected in water.

An anode rod's lifespan depends entirely on your usage, water quality and temperature. It is said that using water softener can improve the quality of your water immediately. However, expect your anode rod to deteriorate sooner since it reacts to water softeners at all times. Do not wait until your water gets rusty and start checking the state of your rod while there is time.

Extend the life of your water heater by draining and flushing it twice a year. Depending on the type and brand, a water heater usually lasts for about 8 to 10 years. Gas water heaters malfunction sooner compared to electric water heaters. Consider buying a tankless water heater if you want a more durable heating system for your household.

Having a lesser heating efficiency can result to high-energy costs once rust has taken over your internal tank. Once it starts producing less hot water than it used to, consider inspecting it as soon as possible. Neglecting this step can cause the water heater to malfunction, leading to costly repairs in the long run.

Once your water heater starts to leak, it's better to call a specialist to prevent worsening the situation. Doing so would help detect signs of damage in the early stage. Remember, taking immediate action can spare you from the burden of spending too much money on water heater repairs.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment