With winter here, freezing temperatures could affect your home’s plumbing in ways you wouldn’t expect. Did you know that your hot water needs protection from sub-freezing winter temperatures? Keep reading for information on how to winterize your hot water heater.
Here’s How to Winterize a Hot Water Heater
Winterizing your hot water heater is critical to the proper functioning and life-span of the unit. The metal on your water heater can expand and contract in the cold temperatures. The expanding and contracting metal can lead to cracks and leaks. Below are some of the things that you need to know to protect your hot water heater from cold-weather damage.
Check for Leaks
It’s crucial that you check for leaks before the temperature dips into the freezing territory. If you have a water heater that is leaky, it cannot function up to the standards it should. It could also cause a lot of damage in your home from the water, depending on the severity of the leak and where it is located.
Be sure to check under and around your water heater periodically throughout the winter months to ensure you have no leaks. Keep reading to learn how to winterize a hot water heater.
Inspect the Water Heater
Perform a visual inspection of the outside of the water heater. Be on the lookout for any imperfections, cracks, bulging, or bending in the tank and the other metal components. Rusty water is also a clue that something is wrong with your water heating system.
If you are uncertain about it, call us at Golden Rule Plumbing Services. We will come out and perform a thorough inspection. We can determine if your water heater needs some repairs to keep working or if it is time for you to purchase a new one.
Winterize a Tankless Water Heater
Maybe you have a tankless water heater? If so, you still need to know how to winterize a hot water heater that is tankless. They are becoming a lot more popular because they generate instant hot water for you to enjoy, saving you on your energy costs. They still have their own dangers when they are in extreme cold, though, especially the models that are outdoors.
Most of the tankless water heaters come with freeze protection. However, you still need to drain the heater if the unit sits in an unheated location. You can shut down your tankless heater by following the instructions from the manufacturer so that it will not freeze and damage the heater.
Here is an article that goes into more depth regarding preparing a tankless water heater for winter. A plumber can help you with this task if you are uncertain of how to do it.
When to Consider Replacing a Water Heater
When should you opt to replace a water heater before the first snowfalls in Wake County? In general, you should start shopping when your unit reaches ten years of age.
Consider replacing an old water heater when:
Your water is rusty
The water heater makes many unhappy, rumbling noises
You notice leaks
It can be tempting to keep a water heater long past its prime. However, If your water heater is more than ten years old, it is likely a lot more cost-effective to replace it. Today’s water heaters are super energy efficient and you’ll save money on utility bills.
Contact Us
There’s no denying that knowing how to winterize a hot water heater is a critical part of home maintenance. Indeed, prepping your hot water heater for cold weather is essential if you want hot water on demand.
Golden Rule Plumbing Services know how to prepare your plumbing system for extreme weather. Contact us for all of your Wake County plumbing projects.
