Your water heater is one of the most significant and highly used appliances in your home. It supplies you with hot water for cooking, cleaning, and bathing and enables other main appliances, like dishwashers and washing machines, to perform their job. However, even with proper maintenance, it may develop problems and need prompt water heater repair services. To help you determine the best course of action to take when it fails, it’s important to understand why it occurs in the first place. Experts at AllStar Plumbing outline the causes of premature water heater failure below.
Corrosion
Storage tank water heaters have sacrificial anode rods that help prevent corrosion. Over time, their ability to avoid widespread corrosion wears out. If you don’t replace them right away, the tank will start to rust, ultimately resulting in untimely water heater failure. Have a professional plumber in Westlake, LA flush your tank and replace your anode rod at least once every three years.
Sediment
Over time, sediment accumulates inside the tank. This buildup will clog water pathways and absorb the heat required to heat the water. Consequently, your water heater will be forced to work harder than required to attain your desired water temperature. This buildup results in expedited wear, necessitating water heater replacement.
High Water Pressure
The scorching hot water held inside the tank generates steam that increases the pressure inside the tank. Although the water heater features a temperature and pressure relief valve, the added pressure can still wear the unit down over time. Contact AllStar Plumbing to inspect your temperature and pressure relief valve and perform water heater maintenance.
Old Age
Water heaters can last up to 12 years. Beyond this point, they usually begin breaking down. If your water heater is 10+ years old, consider replacing it with a tankless water heater, which has a longer lifespan, produces hot water on demand, and saves energy bills.
Wrongly Sized Water Heater
Water heaters vary in size in order to meet specific needs. If you have an undersized heater, it will need to do more than it’s capable of to meet your needs, resulting in breakdown due to overuse. That said, before your water heater installation, assess your needs carefully and get professional help from our team.
At AllStar Plumbing, we go above and beyond to ensure you get the most out of your water heater with our full suite of services. Call us today for more details or to set up an appointment.