Your Granada Hills home’s water heater does an essential job. Without it, you would be reduced to taking cold showers and scrubbing dishes in cold water. However, most homeowners are not as appreciative as they should be until it is too late. Only after climbing into ice-cold water to bathe do we wish we had been more diligent about caring for that crucial appliance. Fortunately, there are a few tips you can apply to lengthen the life of your water heater and save yourself some cash.
Drain And Flush Sounds Simple Enough
A little care goes a long way to protecting the health and well-being of your water heater. Unfortunately, all water contains minerals and particles that will eventually settle to the base of the water heater holding tank and create a thick sediment. When this happens, you might discover that your water is not as hot as it once was or that there seems to be less hot water available.
The reason for these annoying issues is that the sediment acts as an insulator between the heating element and the water in the holding tank. Therefore, your water heater will continue to struggle to provide your hot water unless the sediment is removed. In addition, you will notice that your utility bills are creeping up as this essential appliance is working less efficiently and consuming more power while still coming up short on providing the hot water you want.
A Life-Threatening Issue
While the cold water and sediment in your water heater holding tank are not life-threatening to you, they can be for the water heater holding tank. That sediment is comprised of minerals that are corrosive. So if they are not removed from the tank, they will begin to damage it. It will not be immediately noticeable. But soon, you could see a slight bubbling on the exterior of the tank, followed by a bit of water seeping through the tank wall. Once this occurs, the damage is done. And there is no way to repair the corrosion that has compromised the holding tank. You will need to purchase a new water heater.
The Simple Solution
Draining and flushing your water heater each year is all that is needed to prevent this costly damage. There are numerous videos on YouTube that will provide step-by-step directions on preventing this damage to your water heater and wallet. In addition, take a few minutes while draining and flushing the tank to check the function of the pressure relief valve. This safety feature can wear out. However, it is a very cost-effective item to replace to ensure the safe operation of your water heater. Open the valve for a second to allow water to drain out. When you release the lever, the valve should close and stop the water. If that is not the case, call (818) 740-6830 to schedule a service call. The licensed plumbers at Turbo Plumbing & Rooter can replace the pressure relief valve for a fraction of the cost of a new water heater installation.
