Five Reasons Why You Should Repair or Replace Your Hot Water Tank

 


As a homeowner, you may never have given your hot water tank much thought. Nonetheless, if you don't regularly take a look and make sure that your water tank is doing fine, you could be in for a nasty surprise that could range anywhere from an expensive inconvenience to your house becoming uninhabitable. That's why it's worth checking it regularly, and if you think there's something wrong, either repairing or replacing it. Here are five reasons why you should be considering regular checks.

Avert Explosions

This first reason might seem dramatic on the outside, but your hot water tank can really explode in the right circumstances, like in these mobile homes in Rogers County, Oklahoma. The factors that lead to a water tank explosion include setting the temperature too high, allowing sediment to gather and insulate the tank, rust, corrosion and component defects. For a solid Hot Water Tank Repair option, check out the service available at Worry Free Plumbing.

Stop Overheating

If the water that you are providing to your house is coming out too hot, this is usually due to a malfunctioning water heater. This can easily be prevented by putting the right measures in place. They include turning the temperature down, removing mineral sediment buildup, and fixing the pressure relief valve. By making these changes, your water will drop to a more manageable temperature.

Prevent Legionnaire's Disease

If your water temperature is too low, for example, if it is under 60 degrees Celsius, then this can encourage bacteria to grow, which is especially dangerous as it can cause legionnaire's disease in a house's inhabitants, like during this outbreak in Portugal, something that can be particularly dangerous at the moment due to the spread of coronavirus. It's worth making sure the tank is above a certain temperature in order to prevent this from happening.

Fight Against Rust

An old hot water tank is prone to the effects of rusting. This usually occurs when a long protective rod known as the sacrificial anode starts to fail, allowing sediment to collect in the bottom, thus causing the heater to perform sub-optimally. Ideally you should be checking the quality of the sacrificial anode at least twice a year. There may come a time when the rust in your heater is simply too much: if this occurs then it's time to replace your hot water tank entirely!

Mitigate the Risk of Leaking and Flooding

If you mismanage your hot water tank, there is the real likelihood that it could burst. If this occurs then it could cause expensive leaking in your house, or even worse, flooding, meaning that your entire house could be destroyed. To stop this from happening you should first turn off the water supply before deeply inspecting the water heater. Then you should know whether or not to fix any loose elements, drain the valve or simply get a new water heater entirely. If you are not sure where the leak is coming from, then it's probably best to solicit some expert advice!