Whether categorised as a plumbing fixture or appliance, your domestic storage water heater requires preventative maintenance to keep the hot water flowing. One of the key maintenance tasks you'll need to perform is to drain your water heater periodically. This involves emptying your hot water tank to remove the sediment that builds up inside it over time.
Draining your water tank is beneficial to you in different ways. Read along to discover the various reasons you shouldn't let too much sediment collect and sit at the bottom of your hot water tank.
To maintain your water heater's efficiency
Whether it runs on gas or electricity, your water heater remains a significant user of energy in your home.
If not drained periodically, the sediment that collects at the bottom of the tank will act as an insulating layer that prevents water from heating up fast. This can contribute to significant energy waste as your hot water unit runs harder and longer to heat water to the desired temperature. The more energy used to heat your water, the higher your water heating bills will be.
Periodic draining of your hot water tank helps to remove sediment that settles at the bottom of the tank over time, hurting the efficiency of your hot water system.
To maintain your water heater's safety
If too much sediment accumulates inside your hot water tank, internal temperature and pressure can reach dangerous levels that cannot be mitigated, especially if safety devices such as the temperature and pressure relief valve are not working properly. This can result in an explosion that can cause costly property damage, serious bodily harm and even death.
Routine draining of your water heater tank will help keep the unit working at normal operating temperature and pressure, thus minimising the risk of an explosion.
To extend your tank's lifespan
Sediment buildup can accelerate wear and tear on your water tank, resulting in premature tank failure. As sediment remains at the bottom of the tank, it'll start to eat away at the tank material. This can continue until holes are formed in your tank.
While it's possible to patch and seal the leaks in your tank, you'll need to start thinking about replacing your entire water heater to address the problem effectively.
When it comes to water heater maintenance, the exact requirement for preventative maintenance will vary greatly depending on the type of hot water system you have. To schedule a hot water service call for your home, feel free to call your local hot water plumber.
