If you deal with plumbing clogs on a regular basis, you might find yourself struggling with bent wire hangers, chemical drain cleaner, and unfamiliar pipes. Unfortunately, unless you are a trained professional, all of your efforts might be in vain. Most people don't realize it, but it is possible to damage your plumbing by making a few missteps. If you use the wrong chemicals or you push a little too hard, you might end up dealing with damaged pipes or your clogging problem could get worse. Fortunately, you might be able to use this blog to help you to keep your plumbing flowing smoothly.
As a homeowner, you might be looking to take preventative action to replace appliances before they completely break down at the worst time. This is especially true when it comes to a water heater, since you don't want to go several days without hot water until you can have the unit replaced. That is why it is worth looking at the reasons to replace a water heater so you can determine if you need to act or just leave the unit alone.
Look At The Tank's Age
Every appliance has an approximate lifespan that should give you a good range of how long it will last. While a water heater has many factors that determine its lifespan, you can expect the unit to last anywhere between 8 and 12 years. This may seem like the appliance doesn't last that long, it just means that you need to be aware of the water heater's age and take preventative steps to replace it if you identify other problems as well.
Inspect For Rust
Rust is a water heater's worst enemy, since it can often mean doom for a water tank if you notice it. This is due to how difficult it is to prevent the spread of rust once it starts. In a worse case scenario, ignoring rust means that the water tank is going to form a hole in it, which can cause water to flood your home as the tank empties out onto the floor. This is a scenario that is completely avoidable by simply looking for rust and replacing the tank when you notice it.
You also want to look at the anode rod that is located in the water tank. This sacrificial element is designed to rust before the tank does, and once that rod is depleted, rust formation will be more likely. It may be best to have the anode rod replaced and prevent rust from spreading.
Consider Hot Water Use
Each home has different needs when it comes to hot water use. If you have a large family that tends to shower all at once each morning, it's likely that whoever showers last barely has enough hot water to make it through a shower. The solution to this problem is to replace your tank with a new one that uses a much larger water reserve tank. You can also purchase a tankless hot water heater that warms the water on demand.
Share17 December 2018
