When it comes to plumbing, prevention is key, and your water heater is no exception. Though wear and tear on your water heater isn’t as visible as it is in other areas of your home’s plumbing system, it requires routine maintenance just like any other appliance. While it may be easy to forget about a unit that’s hidden away in a garage or closet, don’t! If you’re tempted to skip a yearly water heater flush in hopes of avoiding spending your hard-earned cash, think again.
This simple procedure is essential to save you from costly disasters and it comes with several other worthwhile benefits, too. Here are the four main reasons all Big Bear homeowners should schedule an annual water heater flush.
1. It Extends The Lifespan Of Your Water Heater
Water heaters aren’t cheap! It makes sense to keep your water heater working as long as possible by removing corrosive elements and contaminants. Scale buildup can actually cause premature water heater failure in not one, but two ways. In gas water heaters scale buildup can act like insulation, causing the metal at the bottom of the tank to heat up more than normal. This can cause enough strain on the tank to cause leaks. In electric water heaters, scale buildup can destroy the electrodes over time, depriving your home of its much needed hot water. No matter what type of water heater you own, routine flushes are a steal compared to the cost of replacing the water heater altogether.
2. It Improves Your Water Heater’s Efficiency
Now you know that flushes can make your water heater last longer, but did you know that they can reduce utility bills too? By removing buildup on the heater core, you enable your unit to run at peak efficiency. By heating water faster, you don’t have to wait around for the faucet or shower to get hot thereby conserving water. This translates to a benefit for both your wallet and the environment! As any Big Bear homeowner knows all too well, waiting for hot water during a sudden cold front is no fun. If you’ve noticed the water running cold after only a few minutes, removing all the built-up sediment can get your heater back up to peak performance so at the end of a long day, you can enjoy your favorite long, luxurious shower again.
3. It Gives You The Chance To See If Your Anode Rod Is Good Or Bad And Needs To Be Replaced
Sacrificial anode rods, though seldom heard of, are like the guardian of your water heater. They are designed to attract corrosive elements to themselves rather than letting them eat at the sidewalls of your tank. If they’re replaced frequently enough, you may be able to avoid corrosion of the tank itself indefinitely. When six inches of the anode rod core have been exposed, it’s time to replace it. In areas with soft water, this can happen as often as every 6 months! If this is the case in your home, a powered anode rod is a good option. These connect to an electrical outlet and emit a small electrical pulse that holds off corrosion. Powered anodes are more expensive than sacrificial anodes, but they also last up to 2-3 years. If soft water is proving problematic for your water heater, a powered anode is probably a solid investment.
4. It Allows You To Identify Any Problem Areas
Lastly, an annual water heater flush allows you to identify any problem areas in your unit before they become leaks or big disasters. Water heater problems are often silent and unseen…at least until you get home to find water streaming down your driveway. Sediment buildup can result in clogged pipes, and scale buildup causes leak-inducing corrosion, neither of which bodes well for your water heater.
Both of these issues can be avoided with a water heater flush. Additionally, most manufacturer warranties don’t cover failure due to scale. Luckily, regular flushes offer proof that premature failure was due to other defects, saving you from a voided warranty.
Things to Note
In the previous section, we have explained four key reasons you need to flush your Big Bear water heater as soon as possible. In this section, we will highlight some things you should note. They will include normal tips and additional benefits of flushing your water heater. Let’s start with the latter:
Flushing Your Water Heater Ensures Warranty Protection
Water heaters typically last between 8 to 12 years. Many manufacturers offer warranties. You can take advantage of the warranty if your water heater suddenly develops a fault. The manufacturer will not take responsibility for preventable defects.
To ensure that you get the value of your warranty, you have to be ready to prove that you did all you could to prevent the defect. One of the best ways to do that is to show evidence of having flushed the water heater within a reasonable time. In addition, some manufacturers have a condition of honoring warranties only if you have routine maintenance checks conducted on the water heater.
Ensures Safety
The safety of your family should be one of your utmost priorities. In this instance, the safety of your water heater is related to that of your family. The state of your water heater has more to do with your health than you may want to believe.
Firstly, water heaters have safety mechanisms installed to help prevent problems. For example, the gas valve regulates the temperature of gas-run heaters to prevent fires. Similarly, the relief valve works to prevent scalding and burns.
Additionally, unflushed water heaters may secrete rust and hard minerals that can harm your health. As a result, all around the world, emphasis is placed on monitoring and maintaining your water supply system to protect your health.
Schedule Maintenance Checks
The importance of scheduling regular maintenance checks cannot be overemphasized. They help you keep your appliance in good shape and prevent costly repairs. You can also save a ton from having to replace appliances such as the water heater before their lifespans are over.
As we mentioned earlier, regular maintenance checks will ensure that you can get your warranty protection from the manufacturer. As a result, you may never have to claim a warranty but still save a lot in the short and long term.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Many people do not know much about flushing water heaters. If this is your first time hearing about flushing water heaters, you may have similar questions. In this section, we will answer some frequently asked questions on the topic.
What is a water heater flush?
A water heater flush means cleaning the water heater to remove sediments from the plumbing system. Flushing a water heater can only be done by people with adequate technical knowledge and skills. For instance, a plumber will run cold water through the water system to remove lingering residues.
Essentially, a water heater flush is a maintenance activity that should be carried out annually to maintain your system. During the action, you need to engage the system in its entirety to ensure that residues do not linger anywhere.
How often should you flush your water heater?
After hearing about the idea, many people are divided on when to flush their water heaters. Of course, you should flush your water heater every year. However, there may be instances that call for flexibility.
If you live in a region with hard water, your water heater will be exposed to more materials such as potassium and chlorine. These materials aid the wear and tear process of the water heater and cause it to break down early. Therefore, you may have to flush your water heater more often in those regions.
If you are in Big Bear, you should reach out to Bear Valley Plumbing & Heating to check your water heater. You can establish an annual schedule with their team of professional plumbers. They will come over on the appointed date and flush your water heater.
How do you know when to flush your hot water heater?
Many people do not know when to flush their water heaters. The reasons for these are many, but the major one is ignorance. Since most homeowners do not know that water heaters must be flushed, they do not know when to get it done.
To know when to flush your water heater, you must be observant. First, you must know when your water heater is not functioning as it should. This may be from a deficiency or regular wear and tear. Then, call a technician to look at it when you notice strange signs like your water heater making noise or taking a long time to heat.
Can you drain your water heater yourself?
The answer to this question is not straightforward. Many homeowners try to drain their water heaters alone, but that can only work if you have prior experience. If you do not have the appropriate training, you should hire plumbers.
When you hire a professional, your work gets transferred to a more qualified and experienced person. They have the appropriate knowledge, tools and staffing to execute the project well.
The Takeaway – Contact Bear Valley Plumbing To Schedule Your Annual Flush And Check-up
Most water heater manufacturers recommend annual water heater flushes. Meanwhile, most homeowners are unaware that flushes are necessary, let alone every year! Hiring a Big Bear water heater repair team to conduct routine water heater flushes is a terrific way to not only extend your Big Bear water heater’s lifespan but prevent unexpected problems without the headache of trying to tackle the maintenance yourself.
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If you are looking for a Big Bear plumbing, heating & air conditioning contractor, please call (909) 584-4376 or complete our online request form.
Category: Water Heaters
