Hot water is a big part of the average person’s daily life. You heat up your shower and bath, use hot water to clean your dishes, and it can keep your pipes from freezing overnight in cold weather. As such, you need to maintain your hot water heater and get it serviced accordingly.
How often homeowners need to get water heaters serviced will depend on the type of water heater as well as any noticeable problems. By doing so, you avoid damage to your home as well as maintain your access to hot water during the colder months.
Servicing Different Types of Water Heater
First of all, are you using a gas water heater or an electric water heater? One of the main differences between the two is the amount of maintenance required.
An electric tankless water heater works without a storage tank to store heated water. Instead, it uses a heat exchanger to heat water passing by it.
Generally speaking, a gas water heater needs more maintenance, though it works faster than the alternative. An electric water heater needs less maintenance, but it costs more and doesn’t work during a power outage.
Shoot for once a year, at the minimum.
Signs You Need Water Heater Maintenance
The best way to tell whether or not it’s time for water heater maintenance is if you notice any problem signs. With any luck, the damage won’t be too severe and can be repaired. At worst, you’ll need to dispose of your old hot water heater.
1. Visible Leakage
If you notice pooling water around your water heater, then there’s a leak. You may also notice a musty smell or water damage. Even a simple drip may become something much worse later on.
2. Low Water Pressure
A lot of different things can affect your water pressure, such as leaking pipes, clogged pipes, and the time of day.
Your water heater may also cause low water pressure due to a buildup of minerals or some other kind of sediment. This happens much more often in areas with hard water. Water hardness refers to the amount of calcium and magnesium present in your local water supply.
3. Strange Sounds
You should be able to tell when your water heater sounds different than normal. If you start to hear constant clanging, clicking, or popping sounds, then those are signs of a problem. It could be overheating due to clogs in the system.
4. Discolored Water
A problem with your water heater may cause your faucets to produce discolored or odd-tasting water. That could be a sign that there’s rust in your water heater or pipes. You’ll likely need to reach out to a professional to correct this issue.
Keeping the Heat
Even though it may seem a pain, you’ll need to hire water heater maintenance at least once a year. By doing so, you’ll avoid issues like water damage and potential health risks later on.
Olympic Plumbing Technology (OPT) is located in Olympia, WA, and provides plumbing services in Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater WA. Contact us to learn more about how we can help fix your plumbing problems.
