Yes, water heater, it is that poor overworked, under appreciated, barrel looking device shoved someplace where it might otherwise be unnoticed and out of the way. We are greedy for its production of water that is hot enough...but not too hot... and yet we rarely offer up any respect or concern for how little we offer in return. Given the option, most Americans push the device to its absolute breaking point, and are then surprised and angry when it breaks. Of course this is the symptom of a greater disease, one in which we will not maintain or even repair most things we buy, because there is probably something "better" we could replace it with. Trouble is, we treat the "better" ...well, no better.
Of course, it is the water heater that I am honoring today, for all the hard work it has done for us over the years. We can look upon the fields full of tanks which have sacrificed their all in order to increase our comfort. Many have lived their entire lives, never knowing that the warmth coming out of the left handle on their faucet is the result of a hard working and neglected fixture that will eventually be tossed aside like yesterdays old stale bread.
"What can I do," you might say, "I am only one person?" Well let me tell you, it is as simple as getting on the phone and calling up your local plumber, I can suggest one in Arizona (valley wide) Crystal Clear Plumbing, LLC 480-888-8889 They, along with most good plumbers will suggest regular scheduled maintenance in which the tank is serviced yearly after the initial inspection. Of course most people will try the old, "If'n it taint broke, don't fix it!" Foolish hogwash! If it is still working, lets do what we can to keep it that way, is a much better motto. Generally speaking a service like this will cost under $200 a year to have done, and the peace of mind is worth every penny.
Let me now tell you about one point of the inspection. The sacrificial anode rod is a device installed by the manufacturer which attracts minerals away from the tank and to itself. After about 3 years of use, the rod is completely worn out and the minerals go to work attacking the tank, until it eventually succumbs to these advances and crumbles to pieces at touch. This is the fate of most tanks. However, if the sacrificial anode rod is replaced every 3 years, we can stop a portion of the wear and tear which would normally occur. FYI the manufacturer does not want you replacing this, they want the tank to go 6 years and then fall apart when the warranty runs out, the anode rod gives them that extra 3 years they need. Most manufacturers are torquing this down to like 300 foot pounds so that the average DIY homeowner will not be able to get it out. A good plumber will have the tools.
Now lets talk filtration, there are a number of options in this area and so lets consider a couple. The most common thing people do to eliminate minerals, they have a water softener installed. This is not such a good plan though, the reasons can be found in some of my earlier posts, but there is one I have not mentioned, salt. Salt is used in most softeners and it is quite corrosive. Since you are going to probably put the brine tank right by the water heater, the salt that escapes into the air will do the same damage from the outside in, that you are trying to eliminate. Besides this there are reasons such as continuing cost, and monthly maintenance that must be considered as well. Furthermore, it is not really the best solution to the problem.
There is a product called the Halo Guardian which is designed specifically for water heaters, it uses a media that removes the minerals and the filter needs to be replaced yearly. Then there is the Halo 5 which filters all of the water in your home so it is healthy and tastes good, inside is another claim to fame, their Ionizer, which will stop corrosion in your tank without removing the good minerals we want in our water. It also requires no maintenance for at least ten years. The Ionizer could be installed by itself, protecting the tank, in which case you would have no maintenance for 30 years, but you would not have the benefits of filtered water throughout the home.
The thing to remember, is that your water heater is not something you are going to wake up and decide you can live without. So it is a good idea that we get into the habit of treating it the way it deserves. Schedule routine maintenance and add filtration, and you will not experience the headaches associated with replacing the heater every 6-7 years, which is the average lifespan of a tank that is neglected.
http://www.crystalclearh2o.webs.com
