The water heater is one of the essential appliances to most households in Toronto and its environs. It has the ability to supply hot water regularly and that is the reason they are popular with many homeowners. However, these are extremely expensive appliances and thus any homeowner expects to get value for money. The lifespan of the appliance is critical when it comes to value for money. Most water heaters have an estimated lifespan of 8-12 years but that can be extended to about 20 years if right measures are taken. Well, if you want to enjoy your water heater for longer, here are tips to extend your water heater lifespan.

1. Install Water Softener

One of the biggest enemies of water heater is hard water which is common here in Toronto. Hard water will cut down the lifespan of your water heater in various ways. First, it is high in mineral elements including calcium, iron, and magnesium that cause corrosion to the inside of the tank. That will definitely cut the lifespan of your appliance. Second, the minerals will build up around the heating element. That will make the heating water less effective and reduce the efficiency of the water heater thus reducing its lifespan drastically. But with a water softener in place, that will never be a problem.

2. Flush Out the Tank Regularly

Sediment build up is rated as one of the leading causes of reduced water heater lifespan. In most cases, deposits are formed by minerals in hard water and common dirt such as soil. The deposit settles at bottom of the water heater tank where it affects the efficiency and the lifespan of the heating element. Some of these deposits are corrosive and they will destroy the inside of the water heater tank. Therefore, make sure that you have cleaned or flushed out the tank at least once in a year to remove the sediment.

3. Install an Explosion Tank

This depends on the water heater system you are using. But most households in Toronto and its environs prefers closed system due to its numerous benefits over alternatives. However, this can be a dangerous system if not checked. When water is heated, it expands and thus stretching the tank. When it cools down, the tank will contract. This expansion and contraction strains the tank and significantly reduces its lifespan. Installing an expansion tank eliminates these frequent changes in pressure thus extending the lifespan of your water heater.

4. Check the Anode Rod

These rods play a significant role in extending the useful life of your water heater. They are installed in a water heater to reduce the effects of corrosion andare made from aluminum or magnesium. They are designed to attract chemicals and minerals in water so that they corrode instead of the tank. That way, the lifespan of your water heater is extended since less corrosion and rusting is happening to the inside tank. However, these rods are eaten away over time and thus the need to have them checked regularly and replaced when necessary.

With these tips, you can extend the useful life of your water heater by a decade or more. However, some of these tips will require a professional plumber to execute. In that case, please book an appointment with Caldwell Plumbing today or get a free online estimate. We provide plumbing service to Oshawa, Courtice, Bomanville, Uxbridge, Pickering, Ajax, and the rest of Durham Region.