A water heater rarely makes noise and most homes here in Atlanta, GA keep them in out-of-the-way spots like the basement or the garage. That can make it very hard to spot potential problems, and unfortunately, when water heaters encounter problems, they often mean replacing the whole unit rather than simply repairing it. But there’s good news. A timely maintenance session conducted once or twice a year from a qualified plumber means that you don’t have to worry about breakdowns catching you by surprise and that when repairs are necessary, they tend to be much less expensive than they might be otherwise. Here are 3 specific benefits to water heater maintenance that you should consider.
1. ANODE ROD REPLACEMENT
The anode rod sits in the middle of the tank and pulls rust away from the sides of the tank into itself. That means your water heater won’t gather rust and will keep your water clean and potable at all times. But anode rods eventually deteriorate and need to be replaced. Otherwise, the rust will begin eating at the sides of your tank until there’s a breach. Anode rod replacement is a standard part of most maintenance plans.
2. SEDIMENT DRAINING
Sediment will build up in your water tank over time, forming an insulating barrier between the water in the tank and the heat below the tank attempting to warm it up. That means it takes longer to heat up your water – raising your bills in the process – and will eventually damage the tank, necessitating the replacement of the entire system. Plumbers will drain the tank and remove the sediment as part of the process.
3. TEST THE T&P VALVE
The T&P valve relieves pressure in the system when temperatures get too high or water pressure threatens to breach the tank. It’s an indispensable safety feature that needs to work as required at all times. All maintenance sessions involve a thorough test of the T&P valve.
Call the pros at Quck Action Plumbers today to schedule water heater maintenance.