Should I Have My Water Heater Flushed?
In Southern Nevada, the hard water that flows through your pipes has more sediment buildup than in other states, which means you need a plumber that will take extra care in maintaining your pipes and other plumbing parts. Water runs through your water heater, and sediment builds up inside and settles at the bottom of the tank. Your anode rod helps to pull in the minerals and other build-ups like a magnet and keeps the tank clean. Anode rods deteriorate over time, so they should be looked at once a year at least. The average lifetime of an anode rod is about three years.
Hang on, is there still sediment buildup in your tank? This buildup will continue to collect and remain at the bottom of your tank without proper flushing or check-in from a professional. The heating element of your water heater is at the bottom of the tank, which is what causes this problem. When the heating element is covered in minerals and sediment, it creates blockage and requires more energy and overall time to warm up. With all this build-up, your water heater can suffer from loss of water pressure, a pipe bursting, or failure to work at all.
The best practice to keep your water heater in peak condition is to have it flushed. This will get rid of the sediment buildup and keep your water heater clean and clear. How often to flush your water heater is based on the amount of hot water you use yearly. The most common amount (and what we recommend) is once a year.
Equipment Shortages in the HVAC Industry
COVID-19 caused shortages in toilet paper and hand sanitizer, but also spawned international disruptions in raw materials worldwide, which we are still feeling the effects of today. The trickledown effect from the pandemic has affected every single industry. The HVAC & Plumbing industries have not escaped the shortages. In fact, they were both hit hard.
The shortage of raw materials such as copper, aluminum, steel, microchips, plastic, and even packaging materials has resulted in major shortages in HVAC equipment and parts.
To add fuel to the fire, not only have there been issues with materials needed to create parts and equipment but with the manpower and production side as well. When COVID-19 forced manufacturing plants to slow down production and/or shut down due to outbreaks, equipment and parts were nearly impossible to find anywhere as some items had to stop production altogether.
What Does This Mean For Homeowners?
With this shortage affecting all HVAC companies nationwide, there is a rising demand for parts and equipment from both suppliers and HVAC companies. Every day it is becoming more challenging to find certain parts and equipment, not only locally but nationally. Some parts may not be available for a few weeks and some not for a few months.
If you know that your HVAC system is in need of repairs or replacement, get it checked out sooner than later. You do not want to be stuck unexpectedly without air conditioning in the Vegas summer heat. We all rely heavily on our air conditioners during the summertime. We advise that you plan ahead financially and keep up on your maintenance.
How is Sierra Air Conditioning & Plumbing Dealing With The Shortage?
Our team is doing the best we can to track down parts and equipment from both supply houses and directly from manufacturers. In some instances we have even sent drivers out of state to pick up parts. We have planned ahead for these shortages, however, some parts are completely out of stock and it may take some time to receive it from manufacturers. When this happens, we make sure to inform you of the initial delay and we will provide updates until the part arrives and we can schedule the installation.
Luckily, Team Sierra has more buying power than many of the other smaller companies in Las Vegas and around the country. We are working with manufacturers and leveraging our buying power, which has allowed us to order larger amounts of equipment in advance to prepare for the demand this summer.
We are working hard to meet all of our client’s needs but we want to make sure you are aware of the current industry situation. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we work through the lasting effects of the pandemic. We are here for you and we will do whatever we can to make sure you and your family stay cool this summer.
How Often Are You Getting AC Maintenance?
Here in sunny Nevada, working air conditioning is non-negotiable. It’s important to have regular maintenance performed at least twice a year. More if you’ve had issues in the past. To prevent repairs or replacements, regular maintenance is key. No one wants to suffer in a sweltering house in the peak of summer! When you maintain your systems regularly, you can catch small issues before they get worse and require more work. Regular maintenance also keeps your manufacturer warranty valid!
Sierra Air Yearly Maintenance Plan
Our team at Sierra Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers a special yearly maintenance plan, called the SAM (Sierra Annual Maintenance) membership. As a SAM member, you’ll receive reminders and be contacted when you need to schedule your heating or cooling maintenance check-up. Life can be chaotic and busy, so don’t worry about having to remember, we’ll do it for you! As a member, you can pay in advance for a year or schedule monthly payments. Whichever works best for you!
As a SAM Member, you’ll get these amazing benefits:
- 2 maintenance appointments per year
- Complimentary performance reports
- 15% SAVINGS on repairs
- $30 SAVINGS on service fees
- Complimentary pan treatment
- Complimentary outdoor chemical cleaning
- 2 year warranty on repairs
- Savings on water heater maintenance
- Maintenance reminders
- Same day replacement on parts
- Longer equipment life
- Increased comfort & safety
- Priority service
For service that soars above the rest, call our team at Sierra Air Conditioning & Plumbing today to schedule your yearly maintenance check-up.
