Many integral parts of your home’s plumbing system demand proper maintenance. One of the most costly, if you’re not careful, is the hot water tank. Fortunately, you can avoid any pricey dilemma by learning about your water tank’s operation and understanding how to take care of it with these maintenance tips.
Know What Type of Tank You Have
Several types of water tanks exist these days. Some of the most common include natural gas, electric, and propane. It’s important to know what type you use at home because different types require different repair methods.
If something breaks down, you can tell the repair specialist the type of unit in your home so that the experts can bring along the right tools. You can assist them further by writing down the model and serial number of your tank. This way, the chances of a mix-up will be minimized and the repair technician can complete the work quickly. This coding information is also needed in case your model is under warranty or you want the exact model as a replacement under warranty or otherwise.
Understand How to Turn off the Water
Whenever you encounter an issue with hot water tanks, always turn off the water first. Every model is different, so, you need to practice in advance. This prepares you for emergency scenarios such as a leaking water heater or the presence of gas. Most shut-off valves are located near the water heater.
Consider keeping the necessary specialized tools near this shut-off valve. So, when you’re short on time and something drastic happens, you’ll know exactly where to look and don’t have to second-guess your actions.
Identify Warning Signs of a Failing Hot Water Tank
Like all household appliances, hot water tanks are not designed to last forever. No matter what you do in terms of maintenance, there’s going to be a time when you have to say goodbye and get a new unit. Most units last an average of 10 years.
Regarding age, some clear warning signs indicating your tank is failing include rusty water and rumbling noises. Signs of rust usually indicate the tank is rusting from the inside. You should act fast to prevent any harm to your family.
Over time, water begins to harden in your tank and turns into sediment. This sediment then causes your tank to make loud noises. Not only does this mean your tank is not working as efficiently as it should, but it may cause severe damage to the internal components of your tank.
Follow these maintenance tips but if you have done all you can to keep your hot water tanks in good condition and they still need repair, talk to a repair specialist. Let them inspect your unit to see if it can be salvaged or if a new tank is the best option for your household.
Sources:
4 Signs Your Water Heater is About to Fail, agieslist.com
How to Know if Your Water Heater is Bad, homeguides.sfgate.com
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