Plumbing Resolutions for 2022: Resolution #4

Every year, people set new resolutions for themselves. By this time of the year, most of them are already long forgotten. This is a great reminder – there is still time to make 2022 the Year of Good Plumbing! Few things are more important than reliable plumbing – which unfortunately you only notice when something goes wrong. We’d love to help you prevent problems this year, by checking out our 4 plumbing resolutions (you can read resolution #1,  resolution #2, resolution #3, or just start here with plumbing resolution #4!).

Resolution #4: Pay attention to your water quality and your water heater 

It can be easy to take your water for granted – it’s delivered fresh, clean, hot, on demand every day without you putting much thought into it; and that’s exactly as it should be. But giving your water heater, and your water quality, a little attention a couple of times a year, can do a lot to ensure efficiency from your faucets. 

Water Heater  

Did you know that your water heater is meant to be flushed every 6 months to a year? To do this, you turn off your heater, connect a hose to the outlet and drain the water into a bucket or directly into your floor drain. You then want to flush sediments out that can build up and reduce your water heater’s performance (as well as your reliable flow of hot water). You do this by opening the drain spigot and allowing water to flush through until it runs clear. 

You can also have a professional do this while they are performing regular maintenance on your hot water heater. This will extend the life of your unit and ensure you don’t have an untimely breakdown.  

Pay attention to water quality 

Keeping your water flowing is the goal, but sometimes, the water itself gives you evidence about potential concerns. Maybe your skin is a bit dryer. Maybe you are noticing a build up of calcium. Maybe your water suddenly gets way too hot. All these things are indications of a change, and you should be aware of what is causing them.  

If your water is suddenly way too hot, for instance, it can be an indication that your thermostat has been adjusted or perhaps even broken. Check and see where it is set, and if lowering the temperature helps. If not, the thermostat might need replacing. On the other hand, it could be a warning that your water heater is overheating and could leak or even burst – this isn’t something to be ignored, and you should call your plumber immediately.  

If you find build up or lots of skin dryness, or even odours and stains, your water may be hard. You might want to talk to a professional about filtration or water softening.  

2022 is going to be the year of a lot of things, some good and some bad. But at the very least, if you follow our 4 plumbing resolutions, you’ll have good plumbing!