When was the last time you flushed your hot water heater? If the answer is over a year, or worse, never, it is time to give your tank a cleaning. Flushing out the old water and accumulated mineral deposits is one of the few maintenance requirements for your water heater. Here are five important reasons why you should flush your hot water heater approximately once per year.
More Efficient Heating
When calcium and magnesium buildup in your hot water heater, it can impact the efficiency of your appliance. It can take more energy to heat the water. If you have not flushed your tank in quite some time, you may notice that your water is not as hot as before. You might also notice a difference in your gas or electric bill, as it may take more energy to heat your water.
Sediment Can Cause Slower Heating
When sediment builds up in the tank of a hot water heater, it creates an insulation layer between the water and heating element. This means it takes longer for the water to heat. If you run out of hot water, it will take much longer and use more energy for your water heater to heat the tank than if it has been flushed clean of sediment.
Sediment Can Cause Blockages
If mineral sediment accumulates in your hot water heater, it can become a hard layer of minerals inside your tank. Pieces of this sediment can break off and clog the outlet of your tank, decreasing the amount of hot water that can escape or creating a complete clog in the system. This can lead to needed repairs and more money out of your pocket.
Decreased Life Expectancy for the Hot Water Heater
If you do not flush your hot water heater regularly, it can reduce the lifespan of your appliance. Most water heaters last around ten or more years, but if the components need to work harder due to extensive amounts of sediment in the tank, you may need to replace your hot water heater sooner than expected. This can be costly; you want to make your hot water heater last for as long as possible, which is why maintenance is so important.
Metal Warping and Leaks
One of the biggest reasons to flush your hot water heater is to prevent damage to the tank. Sediment in the tank can cause hot spots that warp and damage the metal of the tank. This can lead to leaks in the tank. Not only does this mean replacement of your water heater, it can mean thousands of dollars in water damage to your home. Depending on the size of your tank, that could mean fifty to a hundred gallons of water flooding your home.
If you need maintenance performed on your hot water heater, or it is time to replace your old appliance, give our team a call at Show Plumbing. We offer flat rates for our services, not hourly like many other plumbing companies. You can expect exceptional service at a fair price when you choose us for all your plumbing needs, including hot water heater repair, maintenance and installations.