How to Avoid a Water Heater Failure

Date: April 15, 2024

Water heater maintenance you can do yourself — and ways that Cubby can help.

A well-operating water heater is essential for maintaining a comfortable and livable home. Just think about all the crucial parts of your day that require hot water:

• Taking an invigorating morning shower
• Washing your hands to prepare meals for your family
• Running a load of laundry
• Mopping floors and wiping down surfaces throughout your home
• Washing dishes after dinner
• Bathing your children before bedtime

So, if your water heater fails on you, your family’s quality of life will drop substantially until you’re able to get new equipment into place. It’s a horrible inconvenience. Luckily, there are simple ways that you can safeguard your water heater’s health. And if your unit is nearing the end of its lifespan, Cubby Oil & Energy can help you find a fantastic replacement water heater.

Why do water heaters fail?

One of the most common reasons that water heaters fail is internal corrosion caused by continuous exposure to particles in water. Traditional storage tank units have anode rods that attract these particles away from the tank lining, but eventually, those rods deteriorate. Other causes of water tank failure include:

• Too-high water pressure
• Sediment accumulation
• An undersized unit
• Improper venting

You can expect a traditional water heater to last for eight to 12 years. (Tankless and indirect-fired products tend to last longer.)

How can you make your water heater last longer?

There is one easy way to slow internal corrosion in your home’s water heater. Every year, you should flush the tank of sediment. We recommend that you look at your unit’s manual for specific instructions. Here is a general outline of the process:

1. Turn off the water heater’s burner and close the cold-water supply valve.
2. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve. Run it outside or to a drain in your home.
3. Run hot water from a tap in your home to prevent a vacuum from forming in your tank.
4. Open the water heater’s drain valve. Be aware, the water coming from the hose will be hot.
5. Once the tank is empty, turn the water supply back on to flush the tank. Keep running water through the tank until there is no longer sediment coming out.
6. Close your drain valve, fill the tank and turn on the water heater’s burner.

It’s also a good idea to arrange a visit from a Cubby technician for water heater maintenance once a year. This will keep it operating efficiently and provide the longest possible service life.

Talk to Cubby Oil & Energy about your water heater upgrade options.

We always tell our Boston area customers to keep an eye out for the warning signs of a water heater failure, including the following:

• Banging or rumbling from the tank
• Rusty or brown water from your hot water taps
• Puddles of water near the base of your tank
• Increased fuel consumption with no additional heating and hot water use

Please reach out to us if you notice any of these warning signs. Our expert technicians can inspect your unit and, if you need a replacement, suggest a product that can boost your hot water generation and lower your energy costs.

Don’t delay — get in touch with the Cubby team for a free, no-obligation consultation.