Water heaters are just as prone to developing problems as any other home system. Preventive water heater maintenance is a great way to keep your water heater from developing issues over time, but it isn’t a perfect solution. You still need to keep an eye out for issues that may develop with your system between maintenance appointments. Have a look below at some of the issues that you need to watch for this year.
Sediment Buildup
This issue is especially common in areas with hard water, although it can happen in other places too. Over time, the mineral traces in the water can start forming deposits on the bottom of the tank. These deposits can eventually become thick enough that they insulate the water in the tank from the heat the system generates. If your water heater seems to be having trouble consistently generating enough hot water, it might be because there is sediment buildup in the bottom of the tank. The sediment will need to be flushed out to restore the water heater to proper operation.
Leaks
Leaks anywhere on the water heater should be investigated by a professional as soon as possible. Depending on the location, even a small leak can cause a whole range of issues like pump malfunctions or tank ruptures. If you find a leak in your water heater, make sure that you call a professional to take a look at it as soon as you can.
Cracked Dip Tube
If you are experiencing rapid changes to your water temperature when you’re trying to use hot water, it might be because you have a problem with your dip tube. The dip tube is a plastic pipe that guides fresh, cold water from the water line to the bottom of the water heater tank. The tube is prone to degrading over time, and may eventually crack. A cracked dip tube will leak cold water from the water line into the hot water leaving the tank. That’s why you get random temperature fluctuations at the faucet. Replacing the dip tube is the bet way to fix this problem.
These are just a few of the many different issues that can afflict your water heater. If you want to keep your system in the best possible shape for as long as possible, it’s best that you call for repairs if you notice anything at all that arouses your suspicion. You might end up having a technician check out your system and find out that it’s nothing serious. That’s better than ignoring something that might be really dangerous, though. Caution is best when it comes to keeping your water heater in the best possible shape for as long as possible.
