What Is a Water Heater Anode Rod?
Given that a tank-style heater stores water for future use, you might wonder what keeps it from corroding while water sits in it. After all, most people have experienced how water or air interact with metal to create rust and other corrosion products.
Though you might never have seen it, your water heater contains a critical component that prevents it from corroding: a “sacrificial” anode rod. Without this piece correctly functioning, your hot water quality would suffer, and your water heater would not last nearly as long.
The Anatomy of an Anode Rod
An anode rod looks like a metal stick. It has a steel wire core that’s surrounded by “less noble” metals–metals that tend to corrode relatively quickly in water (usually magnesium, aluminum, or zinc).
How They Work
An anode rod extends the life of a water heater by…
Can I Just Handle the Water Heater Repairs on My Own?
When your water heater stops working, it is vital that you reach out to a professional who possesses the in-depth knowledge and extensive experience necessary to get the job done right the first time. If you attempt to handle repairs or water heater installations on your own, you may injure yourself or worsen the condition of your water heater.
How To Choose The Right Water Heater
Do you need help choosing the right water heater? You’re at the right place! The choices are endless, from a tankless water heater vs. tank water heater to gas vs. electric water heater options, and varying sizes and capacities. Let us help you choose the right water heater with key factors to consider, included below!
Tankless Water Heaters vs. Tank Water Heaters
Each type, whether tankless or traditional tank model, has its advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at them!
Tank Water Heaters
Traditional tank water heaters store a large volume of hot water in a tank, which is constantly heated and ready to use. The tank sizes can vary from 20 to 120 gallons, depending on the household’s needs. When you turn on a hot…
Why There’s No Hot Water In the House: 5 Possible Causes
Have you ever wondered why there’s never enough hot water in your house? Before blaming the person taking long showers, it’s important to know that a shortage can stem from several common causes.
In this guide, the expert technicians at Payless Water Heaters, proudly serving homes across California, explain five common reasons you might be running out of hot water – from an undersized unit to an aging home water heater system – and share simple solutions to help you restore a reliable hot water supply.
Wrong-Sized Water Heater
Unfortunately, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work well for water heaters. You need a unit that suits the specific dimensions of your home. For example, a heater that’s too small often results in an insufficient supply of hot water. This is especially true when…
Common Reasons Why Your Water Heater Stopped Working
Has your water heater stopped working? Your water heater can last you a long while with proper maintenance. But problems do happen and nothing lasts forever. Eventually, your water heater will buckle and stop working. In a perfect world, it will be under the weight of its years, but there are a host of reasons as to why your water heater could fail on you.
Leaks
Unsurprisingly, a leaky heater is a heater that’s not long for this world. Leaks can and will wreak havoc on your ability to sustain hot water in your home. What’s more is that the leaked water is liable to damage the area surrounding the water heater. Any homeowner will tell you that water damage is no laughing matter and should be treated as seriously as possible. As such, a leaky…
Do I Need More Than One Water Heater?
In gauging the amount of hot water that your home or business needs, it might occur to you that one day, the amount of hot water produced by your water heater simply isn’t enough. And while that might sound like a small issue for some, it can be rather annoying when there’s a large demand for hot water without the resources to actually provide for it. Below are a few things to keep in mind when considering if a second hot water heater is for you or not.
Why Do You Think You Need It?
There’s a difference in thinking you need something and actually having a need for it. In many cases, people tend to believe that another hot water is the answer if their current one is small, and a larger replacement is a little out of budget.…
Calculating Your Way to the Right Water Heater
Winter has arrived, and there’s nothing that can warm your chilled bones quite like a hot shower. But what if your water heater stops working in the middle of winter? How will you know which water heater is right for your needs? Here are some things to consider, so you can make the right choice.
Why the Right Water Heater Matters
- Poor efficiency and higher utility bills: Don’t always choose the least expensive option. When you find a water heater with a low initial cost, that doesn’t mean you are going to save money. In the long run, that cheaper water heater could result in higher energy costs. Check the efficiency rating of the water heater that interests you, so you can save money down the line with lower utility bills.
…
Tell Tale Signs You Need Water Tank Service ASAP
No one wants to deal with a problem that’s gone out of hand. Here are some warning signs to look out for that indicate you need your water tank serviced. It is recommended that water tanks get serviced every 5 years as a regular check up. Even if there are no problems that seem apparent 5 years marks the half life, or quarter life, of your water heater depending on the type of tank you purchase. Here are some tell tale signs that you need water heater service.
Irregular Water Temperatures
Mineral deposits that build up over time are often the result of irregular water temperatures. This can indicate that your water tank may need to be serviced if this problem arises and your water heater is new or potentially replaced if it’s on the older side.
Water Discoloration
If…
Is My Water Heater Due For Replacement?
As a home or business owner, it’s important to know when the investments you make are due for a refresh, replacement, or simple maintenance to keep them working as they should. For most, this notion usually applies only after something has seemingly gone very wrong, and an emergency service is needed. With a bit of planning however, there are a number of ways to tell if you should be considering a replacement for your appliance, or something similar. When it comes to your water heater, there are a few things to consider, a few things to look out for, and a number of factors involved in the process. See below and determine if you’re up for a water heater replacement in the near future.
Performance Benchmarks
It’s easy to continue looking at how your hot water has been operating at…
3 Signs You Should Start Looking for a Water Heater Replacement
Under normal conditions, your water heater should adequately meet your home’s hot water needs for many years with little to no trouble. On average, tank-type water heaters generally last about 10 to 12 years, and if you own a high-quality tankless model (like a Noritz), you can expect to get more than 20 years out of it. However, as we all know, nothing lasts forever, so it can help to understand what signs indicate that your water heater may be nearing the end of its lifespan.
WHEN TO START LOOKING FOR A NEW WATER HEATER
If you spot one or more of the signs below, it’s time to consider shopping for your next water heater.
Cloudy, Rusty, or Discolored Water
If you notice poor-quality water coming out of your faucets only when you turn on hot water,…
