If you do a quick search for "plumbing advice," one of the most common phrases that you'll find popping up again and again is "How often should I have my water heater checked out?" Obviously, water heaters and their maintenance are something of a mystery to many homeowners, but they're also an integral part of your home's plumbing system—just imagine how much you'd miss your water heater if you didn't have it!—and they don't need to be too inscrutable.

To answer the question of how often you should have your water heater checked out, the answer depends on several factors, including the age of your house and the age, size, and type of your water heater. A good rule of thumb, though, is that if you water heater is more than 10 years old then you'll probably either need to replace or at least make sure that it gets looked at regularly.

It's a good idea for any homeowner to have a certified Olathe plumber and HVAC specialist take a look over your house at least once a year, just to make sure that everything's working as it should be, and to avoid running into inconvenient or damaging problems at inopportune times. Better to head trouble off at the pass than end up with frozen pipes, no hot water in the dead of winter, or a broken AC on the hottest day of the year.

The rest of the time, you can probably just keep an eye out for a few trouble behaviors that will indicate if your water heater needs the attention of a good Olathe plumber:

• Most obviously, if you run the water and it doesn't get hot. The water heater's job is to heat the water, and if you don't have hot water coming out of your taps or showers, then the water heater clearly isn't doing its job.
• If the hot water comes out brown or rusty, then there's almost certainly something wrong with your water heater and it needs the attention of a licensed Olathe plumber right away.
• Banging or other loud noises coming from your water heater can be a signal of trouble inside the heater itself.
• Of course, if your water heater starts leaking that's a big, flashing neon sign that something isn't right. You should turn off the water supply to the water heater to keep it from flooding your house, and then call your friendly neighborhood Olathe plumber right away!

Like any appliance, a water heater accumulates wear and tear as it operates. Sediments can build up in the tank over time, which is why it's a good idea to have your tank drained once a year. Giving your water heater the attention that it needs can help make sure that it's there to provide hot water for you and your family when you need it, all year round!

Founded in 1980, Davenport Service Company has provided "Customer First" service in Johnson County, Kansas for over three decades. We provide 24/7 emergency service, preventive maintenance service, and seasonal tune-ups for commercial and residential heating and air conditioning systems. If you're looking for a furnace tune-up in Olathe, call 913-441-2222 for hassle-free scheduling today!