Don’t Get Frozen in the Winter Months: Maintain Your Water Heater Today

As fall and winter approach, so do many family holidays. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are the perfect occasions for friends and relatives to visit, and many times they will stay as guests in the house for a few days. This means that more people will be using hot water for washing laundry, dishes, and bathing, and the last thing you want to deal with is a water heater that breaks down at the worst moment.

Why a Water Heater Can Fail

Water heaters are something we use every day, but very few homeowners schedule a regular maintenance program to keep them in top shape. Ignoring small problems is a major cause of water heater failures, as neglect allows issues to grow into extensive damage.

As time passes, all water heater tanks accumulate debris. Sand, dirt, small pebbles, and rust builds up until it starts to affect the heater’s performance. This debris can also enter the pipes and cause blockages.

Another source of problems are the internal anodes that help prevent the water heater from corroding. These anodes wear down during use, and if you don’t replace them on time, the tank will rust quickly.

Improperly sized heaters are one thing we find in many of our inspections. That small, affordable water heater worked perfectly for you and your wife after your marriage and your first home purchase. But several years later you now have three kids and the heater has to work overtime to keep up with the new demand, reducing its life expectancy.

An experienced plumber can evaluate your household’s needs and determine whether your current water heater has the right capacity for the job.

Professional tank water heater installation completed by Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter in Seattle.

Benefits of Proper Water Heater Maintenance

After a professional service, your water heater will do its primary job — heat water — faster. By getting rid of all the gunk that is in the tank it can now hold more water inside and there will be no debris that could clog the pipes. Maintenance will also increase the life of the tank by preventing rust and decay.

A professional maintenance service consists of draining and flushing the tank. This removes any debris and build up, improving the heater’s efficiency. And remember: an efficient water heater will consume less fuel, lowering your energy bills.

At Bob Oates, we also perform a general inspection, checking the anode rods, vents, and heater components for signs of wear. We examine the unions and flex lines to ensure there are no leaks, and we repair any water heater issues we find whenever possible.

Energy-efficient tankless water heater installation by Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter.

Schedule a Service Today

You can easily prevent the hassle and damage of a failing water heater by scheduling annual service. At Bob Oates Plumbing, Sewer & Rooter, our staff is licensed, and our work and parts are guaranteed. We can maintain electric or gas water heaters, traditional tank or tankless, so just give us a call(opens in new tab) or use our contact form(opens in new tab) to schedule a visit from our water heater experts.