Hot water heaters in Las Vegas can fail due to the minerals in our water, known as hard water. The hard water causes a build-up inside the water heater and plumbing systems usually causing a material failure. Plumbing failures are detected when water begins leaking from pipes or water heaters. An important step to keeping your water heater working is a regular inspection. Here are a few additional notes about water heaters in Las Vegas.
Water Heaters in Las Vegas
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 an outside water closet or the garage, is the large cylinder with pipes coming from the wall.
The water heater includes a few components that need regular checks including the tank, shut-off valve, thermostat, drain valve and anode rod.
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.
The Anode Rod
A regular check of the anode rod should be done annually. The rod is suspended from the top of the unit and drops down into the water tank. The anode rod attracts minerals in the water to help remove minerals and keep the tank from rusting. This rod is designed to disintegrate after it reaches capacity. Most homeowners or renters don’t realize the rod should be replaced annually or every two years depending on use. Calling a licensed plumber helps identify these issues.
Superior Plumbing & Drain
We are locally owned and operated. As a result, we treat every customer like family. For help with your hot water heater in Las Vegas, call Superior Plumbing & Drain today at (702) 478-9643.