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Does a Residential Water Heater Need Professional Maintenance?

It’s easy to not give your water heater much thought. As long as it’s working and you have hot water, there’s not much to worry about. But the truth is, water heater problems can be largely silent until they are significant. Because of this, it’s a good idea to schedule water heater maintenance in Roanoke.

Keep reading to learn more about why professional maintenance for your water heater is so important and how often you should schedule the service. Then give our team a call for all of your water heater needs, from maintenance to repairs and even upgrading your older model to a new one.

How Annual Water Heater Maintenance Works

Your water heater is not a set-it-and-forget-it appliance. Instead, it needs fairly regular care to keep operating at its best. We all know that water can cause rust, and your water heater is not exempt from the risk of corrosion. When you invest in regular maintenance with our team of professionals, you can stay ahead of problems that might otherwise be a death sentence for your water heater.

Your water heater does have a sacrificial anode rod inside that corrodes to protect the tank itself from corrosion. However, the anode rod needs to be replaced every 4-5 years. When you prioritize annual maintenance for your water heater, we can keep an eye on the anode rod, as well as any signs of corrosion so that we can address them sooner rather than later and potentially extend the lifespan of your water heater.

For example, each year, we will flush the system out to remove any mineral buildup from hard water. Even though you don’t see these minerals with your naked eye in a glass of water, they can quickly build up inside of your water heater, leaving an abrasive layer along the bottom. When the heating element turns on to heat water, these abrasive minerals stir up and begin wearing down the protective lining inside.

Benefits of Regular Maintenance

With regular maintenance, your water heater can easily last for years longer than it otherwise would. This saves you money over having to invest in new water heaters more frequently. For example, if you get twelve years out of your water heater instead of just eight, that’s four extra years when you don’t have to pay for an upgrade. 

Plus, a well-maintained water heater is more efficient. It will use less energy overall to maintain hot water for your home. Maintenance service can also lower your costs for water usage by preventing leaks or drainage problems that might otherwise cost you more on your monthly water bill. Even just a little bit of extra savings can add up.

Risks of Skipping Out on Maintenance

When you skip out on maintenance, there’s a possibility that your water heater could corrode and need to be replaced sooner. You may notice that your water doesn’t get as hot as it used to or that it has a rusty tinge due to corrosion. Plus, you end up with the headache of your water heater not working completely and breaking down, leaving you without hot water until your tank can either get repaired or replaced.

We can help you make the best choice for water heater maintenance. Rely on the experts at W.C. Butler Heating and Air Conditioning and schedule an appointment today.

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