5 Factors That Affect Water Heater Lifespan in Woodstock, GA

Your water heater could last over 15 years with regular maintenance. It’s easy to forget about your water heater when it works well, but small repairs along the way can help extend your water heater lifespan and postpone replacement costs.

If your water heater isn’t working as it should, Quick-Pro Plumbing provides comprehensive water heater services in Woodstock, GA. This post will cover a few factors that could contribute to a shorter water heater lifespan. When you know what factors can cause water heater damage, you can prevent them and maintain your water heater for as long as possible. 

Initial Investment

Home appliances always break down at inconvenient times and it is expensive to replace them. Some homeowners try to cut costs by installing the cheapest water heater they can find, and they quickly realize the consequences of their mistake.

Low-quality water heaters are not as durable as higher-end models. One way to determine if a unit is worth the money is to check the warranty. Water heater manufacturers that stand by their products will offer better warranty coverage than those that know they sell inferior units.

Hard Water Buildup

One of the biggest causes of water heater damage is hard water. An overabundance of minerals like calcium and magnesium in the water supply cause all sorts of damage around the home. It’s normal for components of your water heater to show damage over time, but sediment buildup from hard water causes corrosion inside your water heater faster than soft water.

Corrosion can cause your water heater to leak or stop working altogether. A water heater that struggles to work in spite of corrosion can cause your monthly utility bill to spike. Regular maintenance will detect and remove corrosion before it causes permanent damage.

Installing a whole-home water softener will improve your water quality and extend the life of home appliances including your dishwasher and water heater.

Neglecting Repairs

It’s normal for parts of a water heater to become damaged with normal use. Some homeowners choose to ignore signs of damage until their water heater completely breaks down, shortening the service life of their unit significantly.

Even though a water heater lifespan can last over 15 years, the individual components will not last as long. Some components wear out after just a couple of years. Small repairs along the way will keep your hot water heater in good shape.

Incorrect Size

A water heater that is too small to provide adequate service will not last as long as it should. This commonly occurs in homes that undergo renovation that increases the size of the home. Adding showers and sinks increases water demand, and the existing unit may not be up to the challenge.

If the water heater is too small to meet water demands, it will run constantly, wearing out the components much earlier than normal. A professional plumber can survey your home and help determine the correct size water heater for your home.

Amateur Installation

Most homeowners have no idea who installed their water heater. As more and more people try to make money by flipping houses, plumbers get an increasing number of service calls for improperly installed water heaters. Incorrect installation can cause a water heater to work harder than it should. Improper ventilation may cause the unit to overheat.

Any small problem can quickly turn into a big one without professional water heater installation.

Extend Your Water Heater Lifespan in Woodstock, GA

The water heater in your home can last over a decade with regular maintenance. Factors like hard water, neglect, and incorrect installation can shorten the lifespan of your water heater. 

Annual maintenance from Quick-Pro's team is the best way to extend your water heater lifespan for as long as possible. During their service call, their experts will inspect your water heater for signs of damage. If they determine any components need replacement, they can take care of that to keep your water heater running smoothly.

Quick-Pro Plumbing's team will also clean the unit inside and out. They will flush the tank to remove corrosion on the thermostat and the pressure relief valve. Their experts will check for signs of cracking, which could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Quick-Pro Plumbing addresses all kinds of problems, from why your water heater pilot light keeps going out to why your water supply has a funny taste. Contact us through our online scheduler for an in-home visit from our experienced team and let us help extend your water heater lifespan.