Problems That will Absolutely Destroy Your Water Heater

Monday, February 6th, 2017 at 11:00 am

Water heaters take a pretty hefty amount of punishment over years of operation. They're designed to cope with it, of course, but that doesn't mean that they can deal with all problems without some outside help. If you want to get the best return on investment for your water heater, you're going to need to know when to call for repairs. That means being familiar with the kinds of problems that can destroy your water heater, if you're not careful.

Rust

Hydronic systems all have to deal with rust in some form; it's practically unavoidable. Tank water heaters do have measures in place to protect against rust, like the anode rod. However, this does not protect the entire system from rusting. You should keep a close eye out for any signs of rust on your water heater, whether it's on the storage tank (if you have one), the circulator pump, or any other part.

If left alone for long enough, advanced rust can easily cause problems that cause the entire system to break down. Tank ruptures are the most common in this case, usually due to an expired anode rod allowing the lining to rust in the first place. Tankless systems are not immune either, though, with heat exchangers equally likely to develop major leaks. As soon as you see rust developing in on your water heater, you should call a professional.

Lime Scale

Lime scale is a type of mineral deposit caused by long-term hard water exposure. It's mainly comprised of magnesium and calcium, and can wreak havoc with the water heater if it is not removed in time. Typical problems caused by lime scale buildup include restricting the flow of water through the pipes in the system, and insulating the bottom of tank water heaters from heat. Lime scale buildup is typically caught during maintenance appointments, during which time it can usually be easily flushed out. If the buildup is not discovered for quite a while, though, it can harden to the point where it cannot be removed without causing further damage to the system. Much of the time, that's enough to warrant replacing the entire water heater.

Preventive Maintenance

These are just two of the most common problems that can threaten the operation of your water heater. There are actually quite a few more, all of which need to be caught as early as possible if you want your system to survive them. The best way to do this is by making sure to schedule preventive water heater maintenance at least once a year. This gives your water heater technician the opportunity to find and fix problems with your water heater before they can cause quite a bit of damage. You can save quite a bit of money on your water heater repair costs by doing this.

American Heating & Cooling offers water heater repair and maintenance services throughout Pikeville, KY. If you need water heater services, contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experts.