How Often Should I Service My Hot Water System?
Nothing in our homes or businesses works quite as hard as our
hot water systems. We rely on hot water for hygiene, cooking, and a great many things, all through the day and often through the night. It’s safe to say that our lives would be a great deal worse off without our functioning hot water systems.
Most hot water systems should have an average life expectancy of 8 to 12 years and regular servicing can make sure that your system does in fact live that long. Servicing can help to minimise damage, keeping you happy and your tap running.
Why Do I Need To Get My Hot Water System Serviced?
Think about your kettle. Especially those of us who live in hard water areas, soon enough you’ll start to notice the tell-tale signs of scum and limescale on the inside of the spout and the body of the kettle.
Water contains a lot of particles, sediment, and minerals. Over time, these can build up in our household objects, like kettles and coffee pots, to form potentially harmful layers of scum.
The same occurs in hot water systems as this build-up of water sediments settles at the bottom of your tank. Without regular servicing to flush this out, it can impact the effectiveness of your hot water system.
How Often Should I Get My Hot Water System Serviced?
This depends on what type of hot water system you have. Generally, all domestic, commercial, and industrial hot water heater systems require servicing once every 12 months. This includes continuous and instantaneous flow heaters.
Electric and gas storage systems along with solar hot water systems can usually survive with a 5-year servicing.
How Often Does The Sacrificial Anode Need Servicing?
The longevity of any hot water system depends on a mechanism in the model called a “sacrificial anode”. This is a metal rod made of aluminium or magnesium, coated in zinc, that can be found hanging inside your hot water tank. The rod is designed to attract impurities and minerals in the water which could otherwise cause rusting or deterioration within the tank.
The sacrificial anode must be replaced at least once every 5 years to keep your hot water system in safe working order.
How Often Does The TPR Need Servicing?
TPR stands for temperature and pressure relief. These valves are fitted to your hot water system as a safety measure to relieve pressure increases within the tank. This process automatically vents hot water if the temperature or pressure in the tank exceeds the safe limit.
We recommend that this valve is checked twice a year and can be done at home without calling out a professional service. Simply locate the valve, lift the handle gently to allow hot water to flow from the outlet pipe, and then reclose the valve. If the valve won’t move, fails to turn off, or doesn’t release water then it needs to be replaced immediately.
Get in touch with
TJM Plumbing today for all of your hot water system needs.
