6 Things that May End Your Water Heater’s Life Prematurely

Water heaters are a vital part of your North Carolina home. Because of water heaters, you can shower and bathe in comfort. You have clean dishes, clean clothes and a clean home.
But water heaters don’t last forever. Water heaters have a life expectancy of between eight and 12 years. They will fail sometime, and it can be traced to several possible causes.
Here are some reasons why water heaters fail, so you can help take care of your water heater now to keep it around little longer – or realize it’s time to upgrade to a new water heater altogether!

1. Internal corrosion. There’s an anode rod inside your water heater tank. It is often referred to as a sacrificial anode because it’s literally there to corrode. The corrosion of the anode rod prevents corrosion from happening on the inside of your water heater tank. The anode rod should be checked every year. If you haven’t, there may be corrosion going on inside the water heater tank that you don’t know about. That corrosion is one reason water heaters fail.
2. Sediment. If the water coming into your home, and your water heater, is hard, sediment can build up at the bottom of your water heater tank. That sediment can clog water passages and cause your water heater to fail. Signs you’re dealing with a sediment problem include popping or rumbling noises when the water heater is running and an unexplainable increase in your energy bills.
3. Water pressure that’s too high. When your water pressure is too high, it damages your water heater. It can also damage the pipes and appliances that use hot water such as your dishwasher or washing machine. Make sure your water pressure is no higher than 80 psi. A sign that your water pressure is too high, and at risk of failing, is leakage from the overflow pump on the side of the water heater.
4. Inadequate or incorrect venting. Exhaust or gas fumes need to be properly vented out of your home. If they’re not, a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide can occur, and that can cause injury or death to you and your family. A sign of improper venting is burn marks on the outside of the water heater.
5. Inadequate water heater size. Your hot water heater may have been up to the job of giving your home the hot water it needs when it was installed. But if you’ve added appliances like a dishwasher to your home, added another bathroom, or if more people are living in your home now, it may not be able to keep up with today’s hot water demands. That overwork can cause a water heater failure.
6. Your water heater is old. When your water heater reaches eight to 12 years old, you need to plan for a replacement. However, this is also an opportunity to upgrade. You can make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable with a tankless propane water heater! You’ll also enjoy having endless hot water, whenever you want it, with no waiting!

If you need a new water heater or are ready to upgrade, contact LG Jordan for help in getting the right one for your residence!