Las Vegas water heaters must be monitored regularly due to the minerals causing hard water. The hard water causes a build up on the water heater and plumbing systems usually causing a failure. When a plumbing failure is detected, it’s usually after water has been leaking. This article walks you through how a water heater works and what to look for before it fails.
Las Vegas Water Heaters
The main job of the water heater is to warm up water for use on dishes, in the bathtub and in the sink or shower. The water we use travels through a series of pipes before entering the home. Once it reaches our walls, water is diverted to the water heater for proper warming before use. The water heater, usually located in a close or the garage, is the large cylinder with pipes coming from the wall.
The water heater has many components including the tank, shut-off valve, thermostat, drain valve and anode rod. While every component is important, these are the main areas to focus your attention.
Most water heaters fail when the inside of the tank rusts and the tank leaks. For this type of failure, the entire heater must be replaced. This is the most expensive because the pipes and the heater itself should also be replaced.
Regular maintenance of the water heater helps prolong the life of the unit. Draining the unit once per year is a great first step. This is easy to do as long as the drain has a hose bib connection. Consult the manual for more details.
A second maintenance tip is a check of the anode rod. This rod is suspended at the top of the unit and into the water tank. The rod attracts minerals in the water to help remove minerals and keep the tank from rusting.
For maintenance on your water heater, call Superior Plumbing & Drain today at (702) 478-9643.