Prevent Murphy's Law, an Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Ton of Cure.

Imagine this: it’s a Wednesday morning, and you’re running late for work. You still need to drop off the kids at school. You turn on the shower for a quick 4-minute wash, hoping the warm water will help shake off the effects of last night’s extra glass of cabernet. But instead of a comforting stream of warmth, you’re met with a shock of cold water. Your eyes fly open, and a scream freezes on your lips.

Your hot water tank has failed.

At this point, you have three options after braving a 2-minute cold wash. You could call a handyman to hopefully fix the issue, watch a few YouTube videos and attempt to diagnose and resolve the problem yourself, or call a plumber and purchase a new water heater to be installed before your next shower.

In Florida, water heaters are notorious for their susceptibility to the very hard water running through our pipes. On average, a water heater should provide 10-12 years of functionality, assuming regular maintenance. However, most homeowners in Florida plan to replace their units every 5-7 years, again, assuming regular maintenance.

So, what does regular maintenance for a water heater entail? As a homeowner, I asked this very question when I had to replace my water heater shortly after purchasing my new home. Water heaters have several delicate components, and not all are created equal. There are differences among electric and gas models, conventional storage tanks, and tankless models. Some water heaters have a heat pump, while others have an attached water softener. Once you understand your specific water heater model, it’s important to conduct regular maintenance to ensure optimal functionality. This includes draining the tank, removing sediment buildup (a significant issue with Florida’s hard water), checking valve caps, cleaning or changing the filter, and adjusting the temperature.

At Fi Home Services, we’re happy to take routine water heater maintenance off your to-do list. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Visit our website at www.finotdiy.com for more information.