By Sierra Air Conditioning & Plumbing
When it comes to home maintenance, many homeowners overlook their water heaters. Water heaters are instrumental in making our daily lives easier and it can be an extreme inconvenience to deal with the fallout when they break. A broken or malfunctioning water heater could leave you and your family without hot water for key tasks like dishes, laundry, and comfortable showers. In order to keep your water heater in tip-top shape and to increase the overall lifespan of your heater, make sure you keep your heater serviced regularly.
About Water Heater Maintenance
Water heaters should be maintained regularly in order to keep them running smoothly and to keep your energy bill down. Regular service can also help stretch your water heater’s lifespan, which is especially beneficial in the long run. Generally, water heaters last about 6-8 years in the Las Vegas area. Our water source out here is rich in minerals, which can cause sediment to build up more frequently. Sediment build-up can cause a whole host of issues, but if your heater is maintained, this can prevent build-up from getting out of hand. Normally, we recommend water heaters be serviced at least every 1-2 years, especially if your water heater sees a lot of use. One component, the anode, tends to break down from the corrosive minerals in our water, so having this part replaced before it breaks can be extremely important.
The Benefits of Regular Maintenance
Remember, if you maintain your water heater regularly, it can help it to last longer, and it can save you the hassle of replacing a water heater after it is already broken. Maintaining your water heater can also help keep your equipment warranty valid. Additionally, regular water heater service can help maintain your energy costs. On average, water heaters use about 13-15% of household energy, but when the heater malfunctions, it may have to work twice as hard to give you the same amount of hot water. This can lead to an increase in your energy costs, and might seriously impact your home expenses.
Signs Your Water Heater Needs Maintenance or Repairs
Sometimes water heaters will require maintenance even though they show no obvious signs of disrepair. For this reason, it is usually best to stick with scheduled maintenance every 2 years, or less. However, if your water heater is in desperate need of care, it might show the following signs:
- Poor-quality water: If your water is discolored or has a tangy taste to it, you could be dealing with a water heater issue. The water heater might begin to rust, causing discoloration or an odd taste to your water supply. When rust gets into your water, it could cause a health risk to your family, which is why you should schedule maintenance or repairs immediately.
- Banging, rumbling noise: When sediment gathers in your water heater, which is a common problem in Las Vegas Valley, it can lead to loud, banging noises when your equipment runs. When you turn your heater on, the sediment lifts and bangs against the inner walls of the tank, which can be noisy and might even damage your heater. A tank flush could solve this, or, if the issue is very bad, you might need to replace your water heater.
If you need help with your water heater maintenance, our professional technicians are here to help. Contact Sierra Air Conditioning & Plumbing to schedule an appointment.
