Wildfires threaten us during dry spells, but did you know you have a fire hazard looming right inside your home or business? Water heaters that are older or have extremely heavy usage can be fire hazards waiting to happen. Last month (April 2014), a worn-out water heater caused a significant fire in Las Vegas. Such a fire could have easily been avoided if regular maintenance had been performed. Water heaters are pretty resilient and consistent maintenance can improve their operation of a number of years.
Drainmasters Plumbing recommends the following regular maintenance tips that can improve the safety of your water heater and extend its lifespan.
Have Your Water Heater Drained
Tiny traces of metal are found in water sources. Over time these accumulate in the bottom of a water heater. When a large deposit of metals are in water heaters they have the propensity to increase the overall pressure in the tank. If the pressure raises too high, the water heater can rupture or even explode. Having your water heater drained annually is an easy way to prevent metal accumulation.
Turn the Unit Off
Are you planning a lengthy vacation or staying with friends for an extended weekend? You might want to turn off your water heater. Doing so can preserve your water heater’s longevity and save you some money as well. The common sense behind it is: The less you use it, the longer it will last. So next time you are leaving for a while, put cutting off your water heater on your to do list.
Is your water heater leaking, making loud noises, having inconsistent temperature fluctuations? These may be warning signs that something is wrong. Drainmasters Plumbing provides quick water heater repair among our other services including drain cleaning, slab leak repair, leak detection, and water heater installation.