Your water heater may last you anywhere from eight to twelve years. Most water heater tanks are made of glass or porcelain-lined steel that will oxidize after some time. Ultimately, they will deteriorate and leak. What seems to be a weak leak will become more pronounced later on. That’s why knowing where the water shut-off valve can be found is always a great idea.
Your water heater can last you for a very long time if you know how to take care of it. The tankless types are known to withstand the tank types for up to 3 times. Here are some things that may possibly prolong the life of a water heater:
1. Install a second anode rod.
Adding a second anode rod can considerably boost a water heater’s lifespan. Such rod is made up of aluminum and magnesium, which means that it may undergo galvanic corrosion. Once it gets corroded, the rest of the tank follows.
2. Install expansion tanks.
The addition of expansion tanks would most likely double the lifespan of a water heater, especially if you’re using the closed system type. Water tends to expand up to 2 percent when it’s heated, which means that the tank needs a gallon ‘s worth of extra volume to accommodate that. Closed systems have valves that keep water from going back to the main water source.
Since the water doesn’t have any place to go, and mainly because it isn’t compressible, the water pressure will decrease and increase in a very fast rate. The expansion and contraction cause stress to the plumbing system, as well as the water heater itself. Eventually, the water heater will get severely damaged and fail.
3. Clean and flush out the water tank.
Flushing and washing the water tank is necessary to keep your water heater working for a long time. Older tanks have to be cleaned every year to avoid the accumulation of sediments and keep the water tank in its best condition. Most of the new water heater models available today are the self-cleaning types. To flush the water heater, connect it to a hose and then lead it towards the drain.
4. Install a PRV.
PRV means Pressure Regulating Valve, which is useful if the water pressure is over 90 psi. The valve will regulate the water pressure to protect your equipment, more particularly the water heater and everything else connected to it. Too much pressure can trigger the premature failure of the water heater. System pressure will also be lowered with the installation of the PRV. It also drastically decreases wear and tear. Remember that installing an extension tank is also a great idea if there’s a PRV is installed.
Installing, maintaining, and repairing water heaters are never easy. If you need help with it, contact Baltimore water heater technicians and they’ll handle everything else for you. Keep their phone number handy so you can simply call them up whenever there’s a problem with your system. They are the experts whom you can trust at any time of the day.
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