3 Tips For Extending The Life Of Your Hot Water Heater
If you're like most people, you probably don't think about your hot water heater often but you probably rely on it a lot. Life would likely be a lot less pleasant without hot showers and properly heated water for washing clothing and dishes. Buying a new water heater can be quite expensive, so the majority of people tend to want to make their current heater last as long as possible. Use the following tips to extend the life of your hot water heater:
Flush Your Hot Water Heater Tank
While not typically visible to the naked eye while water is running, most municipal water sources have a lot of minerals and other forms of sediments in it. Over time, these sediments can build up in your hot water heater tank and cause damage. Luckily, it is pretty simple to flush the hot water tank and get rid of the sediment build up. All you have to do is hook up a hose to your heater and let the old water drain out into your yard. You can then spray down the inside of the tank and fill it back up. If you're hesitant to flush your hot water heater tank yourself, hire a plumber or HVAC professional to take care of this hot water tank maintenance task for you.
Replace the Anode Rod
An anode rod is an essential part of a hot water heater that is designed to attract corrosive materials so they do not damage the tank itself. If the anode rod becomes too corroded, it will be unable to work properly and the tank may begin to corrode which can lead for the need to replace the whole water heater. If you want to extend the life of your water heater, make sure the anode rod is checked often and replaced with a new one when visible signs or corrosion are evident.
Install a Water Softener
Many areas have very hard municipal water, which means that the mineral content is extremely high. If you live in an area with hot water, the minerals will begin to create deposits and scaling on the inside of your water heater which can cause problems and shorten the number of years that it works properly. You can help fix this problem by having a water softening system installed in your home. In addition to helping your water heater last longer, a water softener may help reduce spots on dishes and make your hair and skin feel better after showering.