If you don’t want to get out of bed one morning and find a pool of water forming inside your home or outside your house from a broken water heater tank leaking, there is no better time than the present to inspect your water heater. Homeowners frequently ask how they can best prevent water heater-related issues in the Valley of the Sun. Here are a few things to consider now that the weather is changing to chilly mornings and evenings.
Inspect
On average, hot water heaters have a lifespan of 10 years. Summer heat in the Valley of the Sun, malfunctioning parts, and rust and sediment buildup can all cause premature failure. A visual inspection of your water heater only takes a few minutes. Be on the lookout for some of these common signs that indicate a possible water heater leak or rupture.
Rusty
If you notice rusty water flowing out of hot water taps, a likely culprit is corrosion in your water heater—a clear signal to get your tank evaluated.
Pooling
When you inspect the tank and notice water pooling underneath it or leaky pipe connections, it’s also time to call for plumbing help.
Water
More than 85% of America’s water is considered hard water. Phoenix is among the cities with the hardest water with an abundance of calcium, iron, and magnesium, originating from the soil. It then travels to Phoenix area water treatment plants which contributes to hardness. Hard water minerals can build up on your water heater’s heating element. And sediment can collect at the bottom of the tank, causing the heater to run longer than necessary. As the water takes longer to heat, it causes the steel on the bottom of the water heater to deteriorate. Eventually your water heater will break whether it’s electric, gas, or solar.
Anode Rod Issues?
Never hear of an anode rod? It’s the steel core wire with magnesium, aluminum, or zinc around it that protects the metal lining inside your tank to prevent premature rust and corrosion. The anode rod is designed to last about five years, but some things can shorten its lifespan, including water salts and well water. If your water heater is over five years old and hasn’t had the anode rod replaced, it’s time to call your local professional plumber.
Schedule
Cool Blew’s experienced plumbers can help to quickly inspect, check, and replace the anode rod, or fix a malfunctioning part like a thermostat. We replace broken water heaters, too. Want to learn more about water heaters and how to keep them functioning longer? Call the licensed plumbers at Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900.
