Ways That You Extend Your Water Heater Lifespan

A water heater is one of the most important appliances in our homes. We need a regular supply of hot water in our homes this’s why it’s such a crucial part of us. The best you can wish from this appliance is an extended useful life. Although the estimated lifespan of your water heater is 8-12 years, it is possible to extend it to 20 years. But you must maintain it in the best condition you can to achieve this. The modern units are a little sophisticated and can last longer compared to the traditional water heaters. A good example is the tankless water heaters and solar units that can last two or three time longer than the traditional ones.

Make Your Water Heater Last Longer

It’s important to note that efficiency of the water heater decreases with age. But this does not mean that it can’t serve you for a longer time. If well maintained and taken care of, your water heater lifespan can be improved significantly. But how can it have a prolonged useful life without a reduction in its efficiency? Here are few ways that you extend water heater’s lifespan:

Look Around

Most of the faults that can break down a water heater do not happen suddenly. They develop slowly to a point where the appliance cannot function anymore. A good example is a leaking water heater. The leak starts small but grows with time. Looking around is one of the most important things that can give your water heater an extended lifespan. You’ll be able to identify areas with signs that a problem is imminent. Making sure that you’re observing the quality of the water coming from the unit to the showers and faucets- is it colder or hotter than it used to? These are signs that can tell whether your water heater is working properly.

You should identify areas that are most prone to damages. In particular, check for drips, puddles or any sign of a leak. These signs will help in dealing with the problem before it escalates. Other signs that you should always look for are the cracks on the tank. If you spot any of the signs, just call the local plumber if you can’t handle the task.

If your water heater uses gas, the appearance of the burner flame is the main thing to monitor. If it is blue or anywhere near that, then there is no problem. Yellow or an orange flame is an indication that the water heater is not operating at optimal efficiency. You may try to adjust the gas inlet to improve the heating element efficiency.

Regulate the Pressure

Unregulated pressure is one major cause you to replace your water heater too soon. Most homeowners do not take an interest in regulating the unit’s pressure. A water heater is designed to operate at a certain pressure (not above 90 psi). Anything above that is damage to the unit and sometimes can result in appliance failure. If the water heater is allowed to operate under high pressure, it will reduce its lifespan significantly. Installing a pressure regulating valve is the best way to deal with this problem. The valve lets out excess pressure thus keeping the unit in good condition.  With a regulator valve, you will have water heater pressure control automated.

Install a Water Softener

Exposing your water heater to hard water will drastically reduce its lifespan. Note that hard water is just the typical tap water but with a high count of minerals. Some of these minerals include iron and magnesium, and they can be extremely corrosive to the metallic parts of the appliance. For instance, the interior metallic part of the tank will start to rust. The heating element will be corroded, and the sediments will start forming a layer on it. This’s why it’s important to have a water softening mechanism to remove corrosive minerals. Installing a water softener is the perfect way to deal with hard water problems.

Add the Second Anode Rod

What is the state of the current anode rode? This is something that you should regularly be checking. This rod is mostly used in the water heater reduce the effects of corrosion to the tank. The rod is made from magnesium or aluminium material, and it works by undergoing galvanic corrosion to extend units useful life. Instead of the metallic part of the tank corroding, it’s the anode rod that corrodes. Note that the anode does not stop corrosion but slows the rate at which it happens. This is how the tank lifespan is extended. But with time, the rod might become ineffective after wearing out. You need to replace or add the second rod to protect the tank from corrosion.

Clean or Flush Out the Tank

Sediment build up is one of the leading causes of water heaters short lifespan. The deposits mostly come from minerals and substances entering the tank. Some of the minerals are corrosive, and they will continue to corrode the tank as they sit at the bottom. As the build-up continues, they will affect the heating element, particularly for the electric heater. Cleaning or flushing out the tank at least once in a year is the best way to deal with sediments. Though this is a form of maintenance that you can do without the need of a local plumber, it is not prudent to do it alone – find a helper. Make sure that you have the right tools for the task.

Install an Expansion Tank

Having a closed water heater system can be dangerous, particularly due to changes in the expansion. As the water gets heated, it expands, and if it has nowhere to go, it will start stretching and stressing the tank. When the hot water cools down, the tank will then contract. Such expansion and contractions place an enormous strain on your tank, and this will significantly limit its life. This is why it’s paramount to install an expansion tank. With an expansion tank, the expanded water will get a space to occupy, and this will significantly reduce stress on the tank thus extending its useful life significantly.

These are DIY measures that will substantially extend your water heater’s lifespan. They are very simple in that you don’t need a local plumber. With proper maintenance and observing this guide to the letter, you are guaranteed to enjoy your hot water system for a longer.