Taking the time to maintain your water heater might seem boring. However, it is the only way to make sure you have enough hot water for your dishes, your laundry, and your comfort. Learn more about the true cost of ignoring your water heater.
The Big Wins of Regular Flushing
The most important thing you gain from maintaining your water heater is a lower monthly energy bill. Over time, calcium and other minerals in your water settle at the bottom of the tank and form a thick layer of scale. If you have an electric heater, the bottom element has to heat up that entire layer before it even touches the water.
When flushing out that sediment once a year, you allow the heater to work directly on the water. You will notice that your tank stays quiet instead of making those weird popping and banging noises.
The High Price of Skipping Service
Routine maintenance can add years to some important water heater components. Inside every tank is a special part called an anode rod that is designed to rust so that the actual tank doesn’t have to. If you never check this rod, it will eventually disappear completely.
The water will start eating the metal walls of the tank instead. Once the tank begins to rust from the inside out, there is no way to fix it. You will be forced to buy a brand-new unit for over a thousand dollars.
The Risk of a Messy Disaster
If you don’t take care of your water heater, you are also gambling with the safety of your home. A neglected tank can develop a malfunctioning pressure relief valve. This is supposed to let out steam if the tank gets too hot. If this valve gets stuck shut because of mineral buildup, the tank could theoretically become a dangerous pressure cooker right inside your home and cause an explosion that can destroy property or hurt people and pets who are nearby.
More commonly, a neglected tank will just develop a small pinhole leak that goes unnoticed until your drywall is soaked and mold starts growing behind your baseboards. Dealing with a flooded basement is a nightmare that requires fans, professional cleaners, and a lot of tears, all because a simple valve wasn’t tested once a year.
Only you can decide whether you want to be ahead of the game or if you would rather wait for an emergency. Keep your home and plumbing safe by taking preventative measures. When you need water heater services in Muncie, IN, contact Aqua Gold Water Treatment.