When is the last time you checked on your water heater?

Water for washing clothes and our showers comes into our homes, and we never give it a second thought to how it works, yet it is a very important part of the daily activities in every home. It is a delicate system, and it needs to be maintained. It is important to know the signs of any problems with it.Not properly taking care of the system could lead to leaks, ineffective operation of the system, and breakdown. Following a system of maintenance guarantees the system will continue to give the owner years of service. On the outside, they look like very simple devices. However, that is not the case. A water tank is a unique item and has a number of components that work together to make the entire system work, as it should. One tank can hold up to 60 gallons of hot water. As long as the water heater is checked on a regular basis, there should be no major problems.
The first step in maintaining the system is to check the water. If it is a little cloudy, or rusted this could be an indication that sediment is starting to accumulate in the bottom of the tank. This is not very serious; it just means it is time to clean the tank. This happens with older water heaters.
The sediment is minerals that get in the way of the effectiveness of the tank, and can cause the tank to wear out a lot sooner than necessary. Get the tank flushed about once a year. However, if left unattended it will lead to bigger problems. Pay attention to how much time it takes for the water to heat.
This may vary because some heaters do not get hot as quickly as other heaters. It depends on how each individual system is set up. Water that does not seem to be as hot before indicates that the element at the top of the tank more than likely needs to be serviced.
These are the main issues indicating that it is time for a maintenance checkup. A few simple things keep down costly repairs, and tell the owner if it is time to replace the water heater. An ounce of prevention prevents a pound of cure.