How to Prevent Issues with Your Water Heater

12/21/2021 (Permalink)

WATER heaters are the quiet and overlooked workhorses of home plumbing – they sit in the basement and just get on with the job.

Because they are pretty straightforward pieces of equipment, they tend to be very reliable, which means it is very easy to overlook the need for some basic maintenance to avoid unexpected shocks.

The problem when a water heater goes wrong can often not be the repair itself, but the damage that can be caused to a property if they leak, causing a flood in your home.

There are several reasons why a water heater may start leaking, including a build up of sediment, especially in hard water areas, rusting, broken pressure release valve, corrosion or overheating.

But some simple maintenance steps can prevent these issues turning into problems. Aim to check your heater every three months and look for problems with the temperature and pressure valve and the anode rod. Try draining two pints of water from it at the same time.

As you do this, check the general area around the heater for signs of mold, water pooling, moisture and loose fittings.

It may be worth installing a water shut off valve as well which senses if there is a leak, and automatically closes off the water supply to minimize damage. If there is a leak, drain the tank as soon as possible to prevent continued flooding.