A water heater is an essential appliance that provides comfortable conditions for showering and bathing and is also important for improving sanitary conditions for washing hands, clothing and dishware. However, older water heaters are prone to failure and when this occurs, they can cause serious damage to a home, costing homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs.
The average lifespan of a traditional tank water heater runs anywhere between eight-to-ten years. During this time, minerals, calcium and lime deposits can accumulate and contribute to the eventual failure of the appliance.
If you notice a leak in or around your water heater, it’s very important to take action and call a plumbing professional immediately. Even a minor leak should be considered urgent and a licensed professional should be dispatched to your home or business right away. This includes water that may be leaking from the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve, which is typically located on the side or top of the unit and directs piping towards the floor or into your wall.
A small water heater leak can quickly turn catastrophic, pouring dozens of gallons into your home or garage within a matter of minutes. If you suspect an issue, there are several things that can be done until a plumbing professional has time to come out for an inspection:
• Turn off the power to the water heater by cutting the circuit breaker that controls the unit. If you have a gas water heater, shut off the gas valve.
• Turn off the cold water valve on the heater to stop additional water from flowing into the unit.
In an emergency situation, it may be necessary to shut off your home’s main water supply to prevent further water coming into your home. You can learn how to do that here.
If you suspect an issue with your water heater, call us at 1-888-405-0770 and we will promptly come out to your home for a service call. In addition, if you have a unit that’s more than 7 years old, it may be a good idea to think about having it replaced as a proactive measure.
At Kyle Plumbing, we offer full-service water heater repair, installation, and replacement and are available 24/7 for emergency service calls.
Source: Water Heater Maintenance and Repair: Helpful Tips
