Winter is stressful for nearly every system in your home, and the tank that provides hot water is probably under the most stress. This is especially true if your tank is in an unheated part of your home. Here are some cold weather issues that affect your tank and how to avoid them.
The Cold Water Sandwich
Though many homeowners appreciate tankless heaters for their efficiency and compact size, they’re also subject to winter problems. One of these is the cold water sandwich. This problem happens when you turn the appliance off then turn it on and expect it to provide hot water immediately. Though a tankless heater is prized for providing hot water on demand, it’s not quite that efficient. After a period of being shut off, something weird can happen. The heater provides hot water followed by cold water followed by hot water, which can be shocking if you’re taking a shower.
There are a few things you can do to avoid the cold water sandwich. One is to simply let the water run for a few moments until it becomes uniformly hot. Another is to have a professional install a pump to recirculate the water until all of it is at the same warm temperature. Another solution is to have a plumber install a small traditional tank near the tankless water heater. You’ll use the hot water from this tank until the water in the tankless heater warms up.
Sediment in the Tank
Sediment and minerals in the water heater are problems that occur all year, but they’re worse in the winter. The sediment makes it hard for the water to heat up to the right temperature. Plus, if the tank is in a cold part of the house, it has to work that much harder to keep the water warm. This not only makes your energy bills higher, but the sediment can damage the tank itself over time. The solution is to flush the tank at least once a year and maybe more often in a place with hard water.
Leaks From Pipes
Winter temperatures can cause the water inside plumbing pipes to freeze. Water expands when it freezes instead of shrinking. This can cause pipes to crack and leak. One way to help prevent this is to not only insulate your water heater with an inexpensive blanket or jacket but to insulate the pipes that serve it as well.
Don’t Hesitate to Call Our Plumbers for More Information
Winter can be challenging for your water heater, but there are ways to avoid problems that can be time-consuming and expensive to fix. For service or to learn more about your water heater, get in touch with our professionals at Dr. Rooter in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
