Your water heater is an appliance that’s easy to take advantage of (and even forget about) because you depend on it so heavily but rarely see it. Water heaters can do their job for a long time without any maintenance at all, and you may only think about it when it stops working. But just like any other machine or appliance you own, your water heater needs some regular maintenance if you want to keep it in good working condition. There are a few things a licensed plumber can do to help you maintain your water heater, and flushing it regularly is one of them! This article from your pros at Easy Breezy Plumbing will tell you more about flushing your water heater and why it’s crucial for the health of your water heating system.
Problems Caused By Infrequent Flushing
Your water heater naturally accumulates lots of sediment and lime at the bottom of the machine that can make it harder for it to work efficiently. Leave it for too long, and those sediments can start to calcify, making it an even bigger problem. Getting your water heater routinely flushed can help with its efficiency as well as extend its lifespan, which is exactly what you want as a homeowner. Here’s what could happen if you fail to flush your water heater and let that sediment sit at the bottom for too long:
- Less hot water: If you’ve noticed your hot water isn’t as hot as it usually is, it could be caused by that pesky layer of sediment at the bottom of the heater. That layer insulates your water heater, making it more difficult for the machine to heat the water you want for your next shower or bath.
- Higher energy bills: If your water heater is insulated by sediments, it’s likely that it will have to work harder to heat your water. This means it’s using more energy, which leads to higher utility bills.
- Leaks and water damage: There’s a special inner lining on your water heater that prevents the tank from rusting on the inside, but when your water heater is constantly running due to the sediments on the bottom, the tank can eventually overheat and crack that inner lining. This makes your water heater more susceptible to rust, which leads to leaking or the tank itself bursting. And if this happens, water damage is likely to occur. A burst water heater can release up to 80 gallons of water into your home, and you’ll have to pay the repair price!
Getting Your Water Heater Flushed By The Pros
All of those aforementioned problems seem pretty expensive, right? The simple solution is getting your water heater flushed annually. It’s a relatively straightforward process that involves opening the drain at the base of the water heater and running clean water through it to ensure any sediment buildup is cleared out. This is technically something you could DIY, but as always, working with a professional like Easy Breezy Plumbing has its advantages. When you let our plumbing professionals flush out your water heater, they can also check for any other issues you might not know about, like rust, cracks, or potential leaks.
At Easy Breezy Plumbing, our team of plumbers has the skills and experience to help with all kinds of water heater issues, from something as simple as flushing to a full water heater replacement. Be sure to keep up with this vital part of your home by creating a partnership with a professional plumbing company like us!