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How to Extend the Life of Your Water Heater

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Posted by Service Heroes

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You probably don’t think about the water heater much, but it is one of the most important appliances in your home. It’s a vital component, and a must to keep your water heater running at peak efficiency. Water heaters typically have a lifespan of eight to twelve years. But without water heater maintenance, some may break even earlier. Despite this, there are ways to extend the life of your water heater.

If you want to avoid paying for a new water heater before you need one, check out these simple maintenance practices to help extend the life of your water heater.

Flush the water heater once a year

Water heater cleaning is an integral part of maintenance and safety. Here’s why…

Sediment is composed of minerals, sand, and other materials dissolved in water over time. This can start to build up in your water heater. However, if there is a large amount of sediment, it can corrode the tank itself and other parts of the system. This can lead to leaks or even bursting of pipes if there are enough holes in them caused by corrosion or sediment buildup.
Image: A person looking to extend the life of a water heater by shaping a water heater flow
Flushing the water heater helps remove these deposits so they don’t build up in a thick layer on top of the heating element.

Change the anode rod

Anode rods are an important component of a water heater. They protect the rest of the tank from rust and corrosion. Without the anode rods, the inside of the tank will completely rust after a few years of use.

The anode rods are made of aluminum or magnesium, and are usually about six inches long and one inch wide. Most residential water heaters have a single anode rod in the middle of the tank.
Image: A rusty, corroded anode rod.
The anode rods are attached to the inner wall of the tank with nails or screws extended through holes in the side of the tank. Anodes must be replaced if they are damaged, worn out or corroded. If the anode is not working, your tub will start to rust.

Consider an expansion tank

An expansion tank is a device that is installed on a water heater to prevent it from overheating. When the water heats up, it expands, and if the water heater is old or has a lot of hot water running through it, this expansion can cause damage to the tank. The purpose of the expansion tank is to allow this expansion so that it does not damage the tank.

A typical expansion tank looks like a small cylindrical container with a valve on top. It is located near your water heater. You may have to open your locker to find it. Inside the expansion tank, a rubber bladder expands when hot water flows through it. The bladder allows expansion without causing damage to the water heater or other appliances.

Test the pressure relief valve

The pressure release valve on the water heater is a safety device that prevents the tank from bursting if an overpressure occurs. The pressure relief valve is generally located at the top of the tank. Air is allowed to enter the tank when it reaches the set pressure. This removes some of the pressure and reduces the possibility of an explosion.

The purpose of testing the water heater pressure release valve is to ensure that it is working properly. If you don’t test it, you may end up in an unsafe situation.
Image: an instrument that measures water pressure.
The manufacturer’s instructions will tell you what the pressure setting should be. If you don’t know the manufacturer, call your plumber and ask what it should be set to.

Install a water softener or whole house filter

Water softeners are a great way to protect your water heater. They remove solid minerals that can build up in tank heating elements and cause corrosion over time, leading to leaks or explosions.

They have an ion exchange process to remove solid minerals from the water and replace them with sodium ions. These are much smaller than the original minerals. A water softener also removes chlorine and other chemicals that may be found in tap water.

Whole house water filters work by trapping impurities from your water supply. They clean the water before it enters your home, protecting you from dirt, sediment, chlorine, and other harmful contaminants that can cause health problems.

The whole house filter protects your hot water heater by filtering out sediment before it reaches it. By preventing sediment buildup, there is less chance of costly repairs or replacements.

Keep your plumbing systems in good working order Book a water heater tuning with our service heroes professionals.



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