For most home owners the thought of any type of maintenance on home components such as water heaters never cross their minds. It’s one of those things that just sits in the corner of your basement and quietly does its job. That is until it doesn’t and you’re faced with taking a cold shower. Proper maintenance on your home’s water heater in Downriver Michigan can help it last a long time and prevent damage to your home by way of water damages.
Proper Maintenance on Water Heaters in Downriver Michigan Is Important
Water heaters can last for more than 10 years and with proper maintenance they can last well beyond that. One problem however which can limit the longevity of your home’s water heater is neglect. Not performing routine maintenance can cause premature failure, water leaks, and higher energy usage. While it’s easy to find out that your water is not hot, some of the other problems are not so obvious. One way to protect your home and make your water heater more durable is to flush the water heater and make a quick visual inspection.
So Why Does A Water Heater Need to be Flushed?
Over time your water heater can collect all sorts of stuff inside it. And some of those materials can cause premature damage to the water heater. Not only that but it can start to break down some of the water heater connections which can start leaking water which can end up causing water damage in your home. Your water heater also make be making strange noises as well which can sometimes be repaired simply by flushing the water heater.
Can a Home Owner Flush the Water Heater?
Flushing a water heater is a straight forward process in which you drain the existing water inside the tank, rinse it out, and remove the sediment from the bottom of the water heater tank. There are a few more steps which involve checking components, etc, but for the most part this is all there is. The biggest problem when attempting a water heater flush is removing the water from the tank. Attaching a garden hose to the water heater can drain it and you’ll need to have the water turned off to the unit as well. But while draining the water heater for the flush is common the other components such as thermostats, insulation, elements, etc should all be checked. Because of this it’s always best to have a reputable contractor to flush your water heater to make these other checks on the water heater.
Routine Checks for Water Leaks
Most water heaters are located in areas of the home which are set back out of the way. Popular choices include the basement or garage. Other placements include inside an interior closet or attic. While a small water leak in the garage or basement may not seem like much, if your water heater was located in a closet or attic it can mean water damage from just a small leak. It’s a good idea to look for signs of water leaks no matter where the water heater is located. For many water heater leaks they can start out very small and you may only notice a small puddle around the water heater. But over time it can get larger and larger and eventually whatever component is leaking will fail completely and allow lots more water to leak out. The more water that leaks out of the water heater the more water damage that can occur in your home.
Common reasons for a water leak in a water heater include the interior tank rusting out and leaking. Once it starts leaking like this it will only get larger. Other components such as pipe connections around the water heater can also start leaking as well. In any case when you find a leak around your water heater it’s best to always call a qualified contractor to repair or replace your home’s water heater. One of the best in the Downriver Michigan area is Superior Comfort HVAC. They repair and replace water heaters quickly and offer free quotes on replacements. Give them a call today at (734) 818-7141 for more details about their company and to get a free quote.