Is Your Toronto Water Heater a Time Bomb?

It’s hard to believe, but over 19,000 water heaters are replaced every day. About 7 million heaters end up being tossed out each year in Canada alone. A large city such as Toronto may see several thousand water heaters disposed of each year. Not only are water heaters a common plumbing malfunction, but unfortunately, they can be dangerous when they do malfunction. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently reported that almost every single day someone is injured or killed from an explosion.

Naturally, then, extending the life of your water heater and preventing unexpected breakdowns is a priority. To do that, we need to understand the common causes of problems. The first common problem is sediment buildup. Sediment comes from dirt, mineral deposits, and rust. This buildup of sediments and internal rusting can cause the premature failure of your unit. It can burn out the heating elements and cause overheating, which also results in unnecessary energy waste. Another common cause of rust inside the water heater is hard water. If that is the case, it would be a good idea to call an experienced Toronto plumber for advice and recommendations when selecting your water heater. An experienced plumber in Toronto would be familiar with the local water quality and would be able to recommend water heaters more likely to resist premature rusting.

New Mexico State University issued a study showing that water heaters operate 22–30 percent less efficiently when they have hard water scale. The only way to know if your current water heater is collecting minerals and deposits is to call a qualified Toronto plumber and have them come out and inspect your water heater. If sediment is discovered, the plumber will be able to flush it out and perform proper maintenance.

Another common cause of water heater problems is improper water heater installation from the outset. This can include bad flues, improper clearances, ignored installation instructions, and disregarded national and local Toronto plumbing safety codes. These instructions and codes exist for a reason — to ensure the hot water heater operates safely and according to its intended design. Ignoring such instructions and safety codes can be dangerous. The only way to know if your hot water heater is properly installed is to have a qualified Toronto plumber inspect your water heater system for code violations. It’s also possible that new code requirements have been introduced since your water heater was first installed. Your plumber can inform you of these updated codes and what can be done to bring your hot water system up to par. Finally, a fourth cause of water heater malfunction is external leaks. If a leak develops on the outside of the water heater, it often initiates rusting from the outside in. This can destroy a newly installed water heater prematurely and corrode electrical connections, creating a risk of dangerous electrical shock.

Hot water heaters explode every day. Is yours a time bomb? Don’t take the chance. Have a qualified Toronto plumber perform regular water heater inspections and water heater maintenance for your peace of mind, safety, and protection from costly repairs down the road.