Category: Water Heater

Water heaters are the unsung heroes of our homes—quietly providing us with hot water on demand for showers, dishes, laundry, and more. But without regular maintenance, they can lose efficiency, consume more energy, and even fail prematurely. These minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium, can build up inside the water heater, reducing efficiency and causing sediment to settle at the bottom of the tank. Regularly draining your water heater—at least once a year—can help prevent this buildup, extend the unit’s lifespan, and keep it running smoothly. In this blog post, we will explore how to drain a water heater as well as how to flush a water heater. How Frequently Should a Water Heater Be Drained? Knowing when to drain your water heater is crucial. Generally, most manufacturers recommend draining it at least once a year. This helps clear out sediment, allowing it to heat water efficiently. However, if you live in an area with hard water and high mineral content, you should flush your water heater every six months to prevent sediment buildup. Hard water leads to faster mineral accumulation, which can cause issues like noisy operation and reduced heating efficiency. For the best advice, always consult your owner’s manual … Continue reading How to Drain a Water Heater?

Discovering unusual sounds from your water heater can be alarming, but understanding why and how to address it can save you time, money, and stress. In this blog post, we will explore everyday water heater noises, when they might indicate a problem, and what steps you can take to resolve them. Common Water Heater Noises Water heaters can make a variety of sounds, each indicating different issues: Rumbling A deep, rumbling sound often indicates sediment buildup in the water tank. This sediment consists of minerals that settle at the bottom of the tank, especially in areas with hard water. When the heater heats water, it bubbles through the sediment, causing the tank to rumble. DIY enthusiasts can try flushing the tank with a hose to remove sediment or use descaling solutions to break down mineral deposits. Popping Like rumbling, popping noises are caused by sediment and mineral buildup inside the tank. As the water heats up, steam bubbles form under the sediment and burst, creating popping sounds. Flushing the tank annually can prevent sediment buildup and reduce these noises. If an aluminum anode rod reacts with high alkalinity levels, a plumber may need to replace it to resolve the issue. … Continue reading My Water Heater is Making Noise. Now What?

When facing the dilemma of water heater repair, it’s crucial to consider various factors that can impact your decision. Your water heater plays a vital role in your daily life, providing you with the comfort of warm showers and essential hot water for household tasks. However, like any appliance, water heaters have a limited lifespan and can encounter issues over time. In this blog post, we will delve into three key factors to help you determine whether water heater repair is worth the investment. 3 Factors That Determine Whether Water Heater Repair Is Worth It Your Water Heater’s Age The age of your water heater is a fundamental factor to consider when deciding between paying for repairs or replacing the unit entirely. On average, tank water heaters have a lifespan of approximately 10 to 15 years. If your system is only a few years old, it may be worth investing a few hundred dollars in repairs to extend its operational life for another 5+ years. However, if your water heater is approaching the 10-year mark or is even older, repairing it may provide only a short-term solution. In such cases, the cost-effectiveness of repairing it becomes questionable, as you might … Continue reading Is Water Heater Repair Worth It? 3 Factors to Consider

If you are one of the many people who needs to maintain your water heater, you may have some enlightening questions to ask yourself, such as “how to maintain a water heater?” If so, you aren’t alone! There are many parts to a water heater that requires maintenance, so if you are not sure how to keep your water heater running and what steps to take, this article can help. What is a Water Heater? A water heater is a device that provides hot water on demand. It is used in homes and businesses to heat water for cooking, bathing, and other needs. Heaters come in different sizes and shapes and can be used with gas, electricity, or oil. Water heaters are usually located in the basement or attic of a home.  Depending on your home’s energy source, you may need to purchase a specific type of water heater. There are two types of water heaters: electric and gas. Electric water heaters use electricity to heat the water, and gas water heaters use natural gas or propane to heat the water. Tips and Tricks on How to Maintain a Water Heater You can do a few things to keep your … Continue reading How to Maintain a Water Heater?

Why is a leaning water heater a safety problem? Think about it for a second: you have a large standing tank with water heating up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Imagine that your leaning water heater becomes tilted, slowly moving toward the floor, so most of the water is at the bottom. Would your heating system still function as intended? Let’s find out more! Why Is A Leaning Water Heater A Safety Problem? Lately, there have been a lot of reports of leaning water heaters being a safety hazard. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “Leaning water heaters are the leading cause of residential fires and injuries in the United States.” In fact, NFPA estimates that these types of accidents cause over $100 million in property damage each year.  When a water heater begins to lean out of the plumbing, it will tug on the pipes attached to it at the top, along with the flue connector for gas or electric water heaters. A whole 40-gallon water heater is 500 pounds at its heaviest, making any lateral pressure placed on those connections hazardous. The pipes will eventually fracture from the pressure and cause a flood.  If you’re planning to … Continue reading Leaning Water Heater: Is a Tilted Tank Dangerous?