Water heaters are durable, dependable, and long-lasting, for the most part. But it all depends on how well you take care of your system. If you don’t give it the proper care and attention, your water heater might not last as long as it’s meant to.
Knowing more about why water heaters rust and corrode can help you to take the right steps to prevent it from happening too soon. Here’s why some rust a little too quickly.
A Worn Anode Rod
The anode rod is a small cylinder that sits at the top of the tank of your water heater. The anode rod is made of highly corrosive materials, typically magnesium.
When a water heater starts to rust, there’s no turning back. It’s bound to start to corrode soon enough, meaning a hole may eventually form in your tank. There is a glass lining in your tank that prevents the steel interior from rusting and corroding, but the anode rod serves as another line of defense. Sacrificial anodes are consumed before the tank is affected.
It’s typically easy to remove, and a technician can replace it for you if necessary. At an annual maintenance visit, a quality technician should check the anode rod to determine how worn down it really is.
Minerals in the Water Supply
When you have “hard water” it means that there is an excess of mineral content in your water supply. Minerals like calcium can deposit at the bottom of your tank. You might notice a banging noise from the tank as it’s running.
Eventually they can wear down the bottom of the tank, speeding up the process of corrosion. You should have a technician flush the tank once a year to clear out minerals and prevent this from happening.
Admiral Plumbing Services, LLC offers water heater installation and service in Boca Raton, FL. Call our super friendly team for exceptional service.
