How often should you have your hot water heater serviced?

The water heater is one of the most essential and needed appliances these days. They are used in almost every place, be it home, office, or industry. If you talk about home, it is used for various purposes like cooking, cleaning, space heating, etc. Apart from that, the essential use of a water heater is getting hot water for bathing.

But most people think least about the water heater. So it stops working anytime as it works day in and day out to offer hot water without any lunch break. That’s why it becomes essential to service the water heater regularly without a hitch. But the question is, how often should you conduct its inspection?

Well, before we answer this question, let’s discuss the warning signs that indicate your water heater needs maintenance, and for the repair, you have to call water heater experts.

Almost every water heater offers heaps of different signs that indicate it requires services, or it may also mean your system needs replacement. Let’s start:

1. Low Pressure For Hot Water

Every water heater has a problem of mineral build-up because of which pipes get blocked which are connected to the water heater. Due to this, hot water struggles to pass these blockages, and the water loses its pressure. In some cases flushing and cleaning the water heater can solve the problem. If not, you have to contact water heater repair experts in Costa Mesa to do the needful.

2. Making Strange Sounds

Indeed, the water heater is not a silent appliance, which means it will make natural and expected noise while working. But if that noise starts disturbing you, it is a bad sign that you need to address as soon as possible.

Some of the common sounds that indicate mineral build-up is popping, banging, and cracking. This noise comes when hot water gets trapped beneath the minerals when too much pressure builds. When the water gets too disturbed, it pushes the minerals in the form of popping bubbles, making the sound.

However, you can solve this problem by flushing the water heater, but don’t forget to call a water heater repair and replacement services in Costa Mesa as they will perform the inspection.

3. Water Pooling Around Its Base

This is one of the most alarming signs that indicate your water heater is in trouble. When you look at your water heater, it looks like it is leaking or sweating. In this case, you must call water heater repair professionals in Costa Mesa. If you ignore this sign, too much pressure heat can rupture a water heater with time.

4. Not Enough Hot Water

The problem of not having enough hot water can be due to an issue with the thermostat. People raise the thermostat’s temperature in the winter as they need acute hot water. So, with the rising temperature, the thermostat setting gets disturbed, and it may need replacement. Some of the possible causes of this are: –

• Circuit breaker — Check if the breaker is tripped or not.
• High-temperature limit — Push the high-temperature cut-off reset button.
• Heating elements — If the above tips don’t help, test each heating element by touching the screws with a tester probe.
• Thermostat — Water that is not hot enough is often due to a low temperature on the thermostats.
• Small tank — Ask the homeowners if their water needs have increased, as they may need to upgrade to a powerful water heater.
• Dip tube — Drain the tank and replace the dip tube.

5. Rust Or Corrosion

Both rust and corrosion take years to accumulate. But once it occurs, it can easily damage and spread quickly in the water heater or any other area prone to water. So, to avoid this, watch the areas around the temperatures and pressure valves and the inlet and outlet connections.

However, if the rust is within the water heater tank, then it’s time to replace the water heater.

6. The Existing Water Heater Is Too Old.

Everything has its lifespan be it a living thing or nonliving. So, the water heater also has a limited lifespan, indicating it needs replacement. That means maximum water heaters can last up to 10 years, and after that, it starts causing some or other issues which need frequent repairs, no matter how much you have maintained it.

7. Water Temperature Issues

If your water heater is not heating the water the way it should, it indicates that there is something wrong with it. It can be due to leakage in the water tank or mineral deposits, which eventually reduces the water heater’s efficiency.
Moreover, a faulty temperature pressure valve can also cause temperature problems.

8. Rust Stains In Bathtub Or Sink

This is another sign that shows the poor condition of the water heater. It is because of corrosion in the interior of the water heater. Because of this, corrosion rusts build up inside the tank, which can seep out into the water and onto the home’s surface.

Reasons For Water Heater Service

Well, many reasons show it needs regular maintenance or service. Some of them are: –

1. The need for regular repairs reduces
2. Service extends the lifespan of the water heater
3. Increases reliability of the system
4. The unit will run more efficiently means low energy bills
5. Chances of accidents are less
6. Safety comes first, which means regular service offers fewer chances of hot water blowing up or bursting.

How Often Should You Repair Or Service Your Water Heater?

Well, it all depends upon the way you use your hot water system, and also, the type of system you have will affect the timeline by which you should have hot water serviced.

But if you are living in an area where you get hard water, it is best to service a system every six months. Moreover, you can refer to the water heater manual for different brands or call water heater experts to get it serviced.

• Domestic water heaters: once every 12 months
• Commercial water heaters: once every 12 months
• Industrial water heaters: once every 12 months

What Should A Hot Water Heater Service Include?

When you call water heater experts to service your heater, you are undoubtedly unaware of what it includes. Some of the things it includes are: –

• Valve check
• Cleaning the system
• General one-over to check the sound of the system
• Checking thermostat
• Burner pressure check
• Anode rod checking
• Gas pressure check in case of gas water heater
• Checking of various types of leaks or signs of corrosion

The Bottom Line

By now, you will be clear about why regular water heater services are essential for you and your family members. Upon that, if you see any of the above signs in your water heater, call a professional for water heater repairs and replacements in Costa Mesa. Doing so will prevent you from running into serious and expensive problems.