Did you know that your water heater needs regular maintenance, just like the rest of your home’s plumbing system or your HVAC unit? It’s true. And keeping up with water heater maintenance is a great way to help your water heater enjoy a longer lifespan.
Ideally, you want to schedule water heater maintenance ahead of any specific problems. But sometimes, problems are unavoidable. If you have something going wrong, like your water heater burner won’t stay lit, you need to call for service. You can keep reading to learn more about the benefits of water heater maintenance and some common water heater problems that we can help you avoid.
Water Heater Leaks
Your water heater should never leak. In order for it to operate at its best, it needs to be completely airtight. There are valves that manage pressure inside while helping the unit to remain airtight. Leaks can mean that a seal or valve is broken. Aside from water escaping, air can also get in.
When air gets into your water heater, it can accelerate corrosion inside the tank and lead to rust developing. Once rust begins inside the tank, it cannot be reversed and your entire water heater needs to be replaced.
Unusual Sounds
It’s also important to pay attention to the sounds your water heater makes while operating. Some sounds may be completely normal. For example, you may hear the sound of water running through the pipes that leads to rooms and appliances in your home. You may also hear the tank refilling.
If you begin to hear a rumbling or popping sound, that can indicate you have hard water buildup inside. The minerals from hard water can settle on the heating element at the bottom of your water heater and stir up when the elements turn on. These minerals are dangerous because they can wear down the lining and accelerate corrosion.
Water Discoloration
If you turn on your hot water and notice that it has an orange or reddish tint to it, that means corrosion inside of your water heater is already happening. The discoloration you see is from the rust. Our team needs an opportunity to assess the damage inside of your water heater and help you select a replacement.
Bad Odors
You should definitely consider it a red flag if your hot water begins to produce a bad odor. The bacteria can make the water smell musty or like rotten eggs. It’s easy to think that you can just run all of the hot water in the tank out and fill it back up with new water, but the inside of the tank really needs to be cleaned to destroy all of the bacteria. This could be a contamination issue with your main water line, and your water heater is only a small part of a much larger problem.
Your comfort is our business! Comfort Flow Heating serves all of Oregon, so contact our team today to schedule your appointment.
