Is it Time to Inspect your Hot Water tank?

As long as hot water is coming through the taps, most people are pretty content to just ignore the heater in their basement. However, this isn’t necessarily a good idea. After all, if you wait until after the tank has stopped working before getting an inspection, it may be a lot more expensive than if you’d been giving it a regular check up. That’s why regular hot water tank inspection is important.

Without regular maintenance, it’s easy for corrosion to slowly eat your tank from the inside out. A plumber can also check that all of your vents, pipes, and other safety devices are in good working order. This is important for keeping your family safe and your property unscathed. We can also check the temperature of your hot water heater and lower it to 54°C. Setting your tank down from 60°C greatly reduces chances of scalding, helps to lower your utility bill, and 54°C is still well above the minimum temperature required to prevent bacteria growth.  However, while these are all great reasons to have one of our plumbing paramedics come and give your hot water tank an inspection, how often do you really need this done?

Fortunately there are symptoms to look out for! If you find that you are regularly running out of hot water or feel like other family members are using it all up, you may benefit from a hot water tank inspection. This is also true if you have plenty of warm water, but it’s just not hot enough. A high pitched whining, rust coloured water, a rotten eggs odor, and any leaking around your tank are signs that you need an inspection.

Hot water tanks generally have a lifespan of 8-12 years. An older tank will have the manufacturing date as part of the serial number, but newer tanks tend to have a sticker with the date. You’ll want to get an inspection if you aren’t sure how old your tank is. We can let you know how long you can expect it to last and make sure there aren’t any problems starting.

After your tank has reached about 5 years old, you’ll want to give it an annual check up. Check over the outside of your tank for any signs of corrosion, leaks, or general weakness. You’ll also want to look over the water lines and make sure all the vents are clear and not leaking. This is also a good time to make sure the tank isn’t covered with a layer of dust and that there aren’t any flammables nearby. While checking the outside of the tank is something you can do yourself, you’ll also want to call a plumber to do a full inspection inside and out every couple years. We can safely go over the inside of your hot water heater, locate problem areas, and answer any of your questions while providing an expert recommendation.

The hot water tank was a great invention and benefits people all over the world. However, they can be dangerous. In order to be safe and reduce your chances of bodily harm and property damage, it’s important that you know how old your tank is and what condition it’s in. Let plumbing paramedics help keep you, your family, and your home safe. Book an appointment today at (403) 452 – 2911.