Maintenance for Traditional Tank Water Heaters

Everyone overlooks their traditional tank water heater until it is no longer working, doesn’t warm up your water enough, or has started leaking. Many of our customers regularly ask us how a standard, traditional tank water heater works and how they can properly maintain them.

A traditional tank water heater is actually a very simple design. A tank water heater heats up water from a burner at the base of the unit. Once the safety control valve senses that the water is hot enough, it will shut the burner off, but keep the pilot flame on in case it needs to reignite. A tank water heater will use gas 24/7 whether or not you are actively using the water stored in the tank. This can be a very inefficient way to heat water for your home. You should expect the typical lifespan of a tanked water heater to last between 10 and 15 years if it is maintained properly.

Funny noises coming from your water heater?

Have you ever walked by your water heater and heard loud popping or crackling noises from inside? Whenever we hear a similar issue from our customers, we also ask them when they last had maintenance performed on their unit. That loud popping noise is typically calcium and other mineral deposits that have settled at the bottom of your tank. This is why it is extremely important to flush your water heater out of these mineral deposits every 6 to 12 months.

As the owner of A.M. Plumbing & Rooter, I have seen my fair share of service calls for water heaters. A lot of these service calls I have come across could have been avoided with proper care and maintenance. It is important to flush and maintain your water heater, especially if you want to increase your unit’s lifespan and avoid costly repairs. If you need your water heater serviced, make sure to contact our expert staff at A.M. Plumbing & Rooter in Lake Elsinore. We’ll be ready to tackle any plumbing or water heater issues that you may have.