Water heaters work constantly, and they are a household appliance that nearly all of us have come to rely heavily on each day. It is also an appliance that most people take for granted. Conventional water heaters should be drained an inspected each year and failing to do so could lead to a myriad of problems.
Why drain your water heater?
One of the top reasons to drain a water heater has to do with the buildup of sediment. There is no telling how much sediment is in a water heater without draining the tank. A build of sediment could result in the production of less hot water than what should normally come out. It can also lead to a bump in energy bills because the water heater has to work harder. And it could even lead to a leak in the water heater, which could cause costly damages to your home. Too much sediment could cause the unit to overheat and wind up cracking the lining.
Another benefit of annual draining is that it will get rid of any noise produce by a buildup of limescale. If your water heater is making strange noises, then it may be time for a professional to flush the system and take a look at what is amiss.
Why call a professional to drain your water heater?
There are certain home improvement projects that can be done by watching a quick online tutorial. However, water heater draining and inspection is not something that should be done by someone who is not a trained professional. It involves turning off either the gas or electricity and properly turning off the water. That is just the preparation phase as more detailed inspection follows. It’s best left up to a professional plumber.
What other benefits come with draining and inspection?
There are a lot of working parts on a water heater and inspection does not necessarily mean finding faulty parts and replacing them. Inspections can also identify issues like a bad setting on the pressure reducing valve. Adjusting that setting to the right psi can eliminate the chance of damaging household appliances, such as a washing machine, dishwasher, or ice maker. If there is no pressure reducing valve, then the water pressure should be adjusted to the correct psi.
All these services can be done by a trained and experienced Charlotte, NC plumber like the ones employed at Best Rate Plumbing.