Three Ways to Prevent Serious Water Heater Issues

Numerous issues can arise with water heaters. According to press reports, the deceptively simple water heater generates chaos and mischief. Someone recently found a bizarre silver object outside a Syracuse, New York, parking garage. Before a bomb squad exploded the water heater, the police and general public were unaware that the "weird package" they had been concerned about was just a typical water heater.

After a malfunctioning water heater catastrophically collapsed and poured water throughout the building for more than a day, a small school in Mount Vernon, Missouri, was completely inundated. The overheating power vent of a water heater in Chicago, Illinois, ignited a small basement fire. A facility in South Strand, South Carolina, was evacuated due to a water heater leak, and an HVAC Repair Guide staff was sent to the scene.

Controlling bad water heaters is necessary. Here are three measures you may take to prevent a water heater malfunction from endangering people or property.

Now, determine how old your water heater is.

Bad water heaters are typically more enduring than troublemakers in the human race. A dated water heater will develop several problems, such as leaks, obstructions, and corrosion. Modern water heaters are not only more dependable but also safer, safer, and more energy-efficient than older models.

If your water heater has been in use for eight to fifteen years, its performance has peaked. If you don't perform the necessary maintenance on your water heater, you should prepare for ongoing problems.

A tankless heater has a marginally longer lifespan. One of these appliances should last approximately 20 years if used under the manufacturer's instructions.

Determine the Signs of a Malfunctioning Water Heater

Signals are emitted by water heaters when something is wrong. One sign is a rumbling sound coming from the device. What is causing this noise is the buildup of sediment on the tank floor. Sediment buildup in the tank is primarily caused by microscopic debris found in the water itself and small pieces of peeling internal corrosion.

Another sign of potential problems with a water heater is water that has an unusual color or smell. The structural integrity of your tank's inside may have been damaged by corrosion if your water has a rusty hue. Corrosion and the weird, brownish water could cause leaks.

Sulfites and bacteria in the tank undergo a chemical reaction that produces black or egg-smelling water. This problem might arise if your water heater is left off for an extended period. The naturally occurring bacteria that "digest" the sulfites in the water make the foul-smelling hydrogen sulfide that you may smell. Replace the anode rods in the tank regularly, clean the system, and add a filter if your water is prone to this problem.

Check for leaks and hissing sounds in the vicinity of the water heater. Shoddy couplings, connectors, or pipes can bring on some leaks. The leaks might be fixable. If the water heater leaks, the body cannot be fixed.

Have a professional service your water heater.

If you don't have the knowledge or skills to maintain your water heater yourself, call in the professionals. Remember that before doing any repairs on the equipment yourself, you must first switch off any power to the water heater, as well as any sources of water, gas, or propane. If you've never kept up with your water heater's maintenance, it's best to let a professional do these duties.

The further advantage of hiring experts is that they can identify problems before they turn into disasters. The normal homeowner may be unaware of the warning signs of a faulty water heater. Water heater specialists are well prepared to recognize and handle potential problems.

Once or twice a year, you should do the following routine maintenance procedures on your water heater:

• Drain and purge the tank.

• Clean up and inspect the vicinity of the tank.

• Check the pressure release valve.

• Examine the parts for damage.

• Look over the gas thermocouple.

• Check the gas flue for adequate exhaust.

• Ensure there is sufficient airflow

• Tighten each fitting and connection.

• Check each pipe that connects to the device.

Your water heater's anode rods may malfunction, as was already mentioned. The water heater will become corroded and rusted if the anode rods aren't routinely replaced. The anode rods amass corrosion and rust. As a result, the likelihood of leaks, flooding, and repair expenses will be higher than the price of an easy appliance replacement.

Booking your water heater inspections and repairs with an HVAC Repair Guide is something we're happy to do. They offer the greatest water heaters when it's time for a replacement and perform informed, skilled installs to get you back to having hot water as quickly as possible.