In the wild world of home appliances, your water heater is James Brown – the hardest working appliance in home business! From your morning showers to doing laundry, a good working water heater is essential for your everyday life.
However, with great residential power comes great residential responsibility. Water heaters require regular maintenance to ensure they run efficiently, they extend their lifespan, and avoid costly repairs or replacements.
Here are some tips to help with maintenance tasks to keep your water heater running smoothly:
First order of business is to make sure your water heater is set to its optimal temperature. Ideally, you want your water temperature to be at 120°F (49°C) to prevent scalding and will reduce the wear and tear on your heater.
To adjust the temperature, find the thermostat on the water heater. It may be behind a panel on some models or it might be in plain sight (always love a good scavenger hunt!). If you have concerns you are going to make a mistake and want to keep the economy running, do your part and call a professional plumber to help!
Minerals from hard water can accumulate in your precious water heater tank, over time creating a sediment buildup at the bottom. This can cause your water heater to work harder, which can lead to decreased efficiency and potential damage. Flushing your tank at least once a year can help remove said sediment and aid in your unit running efficiently.
To flush your water heater, you need to:
(“Reasons” by Earth, Wind & Fire playing in background)…
The reason that we’re here! Anode rods are metal rods that prevent your water heater tank from rusting. These rods protect the inner tank from corrosion by sacrificing themselves and corroding instead. However, over time the rod will deteriorate and needs to be replaced to maintain the integrity of the tank.
To inspect the anode rod, follow these steps:
Like any professional athlete, a hot water heater can crumble under too much pressure. The temperature and pressure relief (T&P for all the cool kids) valve is a crucial safety feature on your water heater. Like a great trainer, T&P helps prevent the tank from over-pressuring or overheating by releasing excess pressure. If the valve is malfunctioning, you could be facing serious safety hazards.
To test the valve, first lift the lever on the T&P valve. If you hear water gushing into the drain tube, do not panic. That means the valve is functioning properly. After lifting the lever, check for leaks. If water continues to leak after testing or if the valve does not release water when it is lifted, you might need to replace your valve.
Treat your water heater like the hull of a boat — you need to check for leaks. Even the smallest of leaks can lead to the biggest of problems. Check for wet spots or water around the base of the tank or on the floor.
If you detect a leak, be sure to act fast. A leaking water heater may need to be replaced if the tank is compromised. I wouldn’t want to take a boat on the water with a compromised hull!
Even your water heater tank and pipes get cold. For our older or poorly insulated water heaters, think about wrapping you tank in an insulation blanket designed specifically to reduce heat loss in water heater tanks. You can also minimize heat loss by insulating the first few feet of pipe coming out of the heater.
While we all know you can do anything you set your mind to, there is nothing wrong with calling in a professional every once in a while. It is a good idea to schedule a professional inspection every couple of years. A professional plumber can inspect the entire system, check for issues you might have missed (I doubt it, but have to say it), and provide expert advice on possible repairs or replacements.
Nothing lasts forever, not even water heaters. Even with regular maintenance, water heaters have a finite lifespan. A typical water heater can last around 20 years, depending on model and proper maintenance. If your water heater is getting up there in years and you are experiencing more frequent repairs, it might be time to trade up and go with a younger model.
Regular maintenance of your water heater can extend its life and also save you money on repair costs and energy bills. It is a small effort that pays off in big ways! If you are good to your water heater, it’ll be good to you.
Don’t settle for less when it comes to water quality and appliance longevity. Contact us today to discover how our cutting-edge advanced powered anode rods can transform your water heating experience.