Your hot water tank has been standing in the basement for years, quietly producing hot water without demanding praise, vacation pay or even a comfortable chair.
This admirable performance leads many homeowners to adopt a carefully considered maintenance program known as: "Leave it alone until the shower turns cold."
This is not really a maintenance program.
A hot water tank can continue heating water while sediment collects at the bottom, the anode rod deteriorates, valves become unreliable and small leaks quietly prepare to become larger, more expensive leaks.
The tank may be working - but that does not mean it is healthy.
Scout's Tip
Have your hot water tank inspected and serviced regularly instead of waiting for it to announce a problem by flooding the mechanical room.
Water heaters rarely send a polite written warning. Their communication style tends to involve cold showers, rusty water, strange noises or water appearing on the floor where water has no business being.
What Hot Water Tank Service Should Include
A proper service begins with a visual inspection of the tank, piping and surrounding area. The technician should look for corrosion, moisture, deteriorated connections and signs that the tank or one of its components may be leaking.
On a gas-fired tank, the burner, flame, combustion air and venting system should also be checked. A water heater must do more than produce hot water - it must safely remove combustion gases from the home.
The temperature-and-pressure relief valve and its discharge piping should be inspected. This is an important safety device, not an optional decoration and certainly not something that should ever be capped, plugged or ignored.
The cold-water shut-off and drain valve should also be checked so they are accessible and operational when service or replacement is required.
Sediment: The Uninvited Basement Tenant
Minerals naturally carried in the water can settle at the bottom of a storage tank. Over time, this sediment may reduce efficiency, contribute to rumbling or popping noises and make the tank work harder than necessary.
Periodic draining or flushing may help remove accumulated sediment, but the correct procedure depends on the tank's age, condition, maintenance history and the manufacturer's instructions.
If an older tank has never been serviced, this is not the moment to attack the drain valve with a wrench and the confidence of a television handyman. A neglected valve may clog, leak or refuse to close properly. Have the tank assessed before disturbing components that have spent years becoming emotionally attached to their present position.
The Anode Rod Has One Unpleasant Job
Inside many conventional hot water tanks is a sacrificial anode rod. Its job is to corrode so the steel tank does not.
This is a fine arrangement for the tank and a poor career choice for the rod.
Once the anode has been substantially consumed, corrosion can begin attacking the tank itself. Inspecting the anode and replacing it when necessary can help extend the tank's service life. The appropriate inspection interval depends on the manufacturer, water quality, household use and the type of anode installed.
Warning Signs Worth Paying Attention To
Arrange an inspection if you notice:
- Water collecting beneath or around the tank
- Rust or corrosion on the tank or piping
- Discoloured or metallic-smelling hot water
- Rumbling, popping or banging noises
- Hot water running out sooner than usual
- Unstable or inadequate water temperature
- Moisture or corrosion around the venting
- A relief valve that leaks or discharges water
Some of these problems can be repaired. Others may indicate that replacement should be planned before the tank makes the decision for you.
Scout's Takeaway
Inspect it. Service it. Watch for warning signs. Deal with small problems before the tank turns them into a household event.
Your hot water tank protects an important part of your daily comfort. Giving it regular attention can improve reliability, identify safety concerns and help you plan for replacement instead of discovering the need for one while standing in a cold shower covered in shampoo.
Because emergency plumbing is exciting enough without starting the day dressed in a towel.
To arrange hot water tank servicing or an inspection, contact Steve The Plumber:
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