Ask a Portland Plumber: Is This a Sign a Replacement is Necessary?

A water heater leak is a red flag that should tell you it is time to have your water heater replaced. These appliances are usually very reliable, but their average lifespan is only about 10 years.

There are some things, however, that can extend the life of your water heater and reduce the chances that a leak will occur:

  1. You can have a second anode rod installed. When deposits form inside of your tank they will be attracted to the rod. Instead of the tank corroding, the anode will corrode.
  2. You can also have your tank flushed out every year. This is particularly important if you have an older model because it will help keep sediment from building up and also make your system more efficient. Some newer models have self-cleaning tanks.
  3. If you don’t already have a pressure-regulating valve installed in your model, consider having it done. This is very important if your water pressure is regularly above 80 psi. Excessive pressure can cause a lot of damage to your water heater and cause it to fail too early.

Give 3 Mountains Plumbing a call today and let us handle all of your water heater needs, whether they be for repairs or replacement.

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