Repair, Service, Maintenance
Regular water heater inspections can let you know when a problem exists, just like a yearly health exam. This gives you a chance to do something about it before a small problem becomes a big problem. Our experienced plumbers know what to look for when performing a water heater inspection. We also have a special pump that will pull most of the sediment out for you. Call us today to schedule a yearly water heater maintenance plan or one-time inspection at (480) 433-8182.
5 Things to Increase the Life of your Water heater
Check the pressure relief valve: This is usually found on the side or top of the heater. Place a bucket under the discharge pipe and carefully lift the lever. If water is not released, the valve needs to be replaced. You can find these at most hardware supply stores. The purpose of the valve is to prevent excess pressure from causing the tank to explode. If the pressure gets too high, the valve should open automatically, releasing water and preventing the tank from exploding. If the valve is leaking, it needs to be replaced.
Check the anode rod: Anode rods are made of either aluminum or magnesium. The rod sticks down into the water held in the water heater tank. The rod itself corrodes over time but prevents the metalized lining inside of the tank from corroding. You can see in the picture to the right that is a representation (not to scale) of anode rod corrosion as it progresses.
Clean out (drain) your tank: Over time sediment builds up inside water heater tanks. This sediment buildup can decrease the amount of water it is the tank is able to hold since the sediment build-up takes up space. This means your tank will hold less and less hot water as time goes by. It will have to heat water more and more often because the amount of space to hold water has been reduced by the sediment.
Keep the top of your water heater clean: This will make it possible to notice any water that has been dripping from pipes above which indicates a ball valve leak or water heater flex line leaks, due to corrosion. Looking at the top of your heater and noting if there is corrosion present will make it easier for you to notice any changes over time. If you notice this, call us at (480) 433-8182 to schedule an appointment today!
Check the pressure on the house: This will make certain that you do not have too much water pressure which could cause your tank to crack; if the pressure is above 75 psi, I recommend putting in a new pressure regulator. At night when nobody (usually) is using water, the pressure can spike. Without a functioning pressure regulator to stop the excess water pressure from reaching the tank, the tank may crack.
