If you’re like most homeowners, you don’t think much about your water heater until you find yourself taking an ice-cold shower. But like any mechanical system, your water heater needs routine care to keep it running smoothly. With proactive maintenance, you can avoid cold showers altogether.
Schaafsma Heating & Cooling has been helping local families stay comfortable for over a century, and we’ve seen firsthand how regular water heater maintenance can prevent unexpected issues. In this blog, we cover five reasons why you shouldn’t ignore water heater maintenance.
Reduced Energy Efficiency
Over time, sediment naturally builds up inside your water heater’s tank, especially in areas with hard water. This layer of debris acts as insulation between the heating element and the water, making the system work harder and consume more energy to reach the desired water temperature.
It’s important to routinely flush the water heater tank to remove this buildup, which helps your system run more efficiently and keeps your energy bills in check.
Shortened Equipment Lifespan
Without regular maintenance, small issues — like sediment buildup, minor leaks, or worn components — can go unnoticed for a long time, causing wear on your water heater. Regular tune-ups give technicians the chance to catch these problems early and prevent unnecessary wear, helping you avoid needing repairs and helping your water heater last longer.
Risk of Water Damage
A neglected water heater is more likely to leak or even burst, especially as internal parts corrode or pressure valves fail. Regular maintenance includes inspecting for signs of corrosion, checking the anode rod, and ensuring the pressure relief valve is working properly — all of which help prevent damaging and expensive leaks.
Unexpected Breakdowns
Going without hot water for any length of time is a major inconvenience, especially during cold Michigan winters. Sudden water heater failures tend to happen when maintenance has been ignored for too long. Scheduling preventative service keeps your system running reliably, reducing the risk of surprise breakdowns that disrupt your routine and your comfort.
Voided Manufacturer Warranty
Many water heater manufacturers require routine professional maintenance as a condition of their warranty coverage. If you skip service and something goes wrong, you might find that you’re responsible for repair or replacement costs that otherwise could have been avoided. Keeping up with professional maintenance helps preserve your warranty and provide coverage if problems arise.
Schedule Water Heater Maintenance With Schaafsma
Protect your home, your wallet, and your hot water by scheduling regular water heater maintenance with Schaafsma Heating & Cooling! Our team has been trusted by homeowners in the greater Grand Rapids area since 1905, and we provide comprehensive water heater services for both traditional and tankless systems. Our experienced technicians always take the time to inspect, clean, and tune your water heater for long-term performance, so you can enjoy reliably hot showers for years to come.
Contact Schaafsma today to schedule water heater maintenance in the greater Grand Rapids area.
