Utilize this fundamental maintenance approach to keep your water heater functioning successfully and dependably.
Hot water heater work hard to supply you with warm showers, clean clothes, and sparkling pots and pans.
So demonstrate your water heater some love by following a scheduled maintenance program that will keep it working for its approximated 15-year life expectancy, and potentially beyond.
Here is what you need to do:
Set the thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll save as much as 5% on energy expenses for every single 10 degrees you lower the temperature, and you’ll also reduce the risk of scalding.
Unless otherwise specified in the manual, keep a 2-foot clearance around the unit.
- Empty about a quarter of the tank a couple of times a year to get rid of sediment and particles.
- Switch off the cold water supply, connect a garden hose to the drain valve, and run the water into a pail until it is clear.
If the water stays hazy, open the water system valve briefly to stimulate any remaining particles prior to emptying the tank again. This also reduces the unit’s sound level.
Check the temperature-pressure relief valve once a year by quickly releasing it two or 3 times. Keep a lookout for tiny leakages from the valve after the testing.
Examine the sacrificial anode rod every 3 years by removing the hex and loosening up head screw.
Change the rod if any of the list below conditions exist:
(A 13-inch zinc-aluminum anode rod expenses approximately $16).
- More than 6 inches of core steel wire shows.
- The rod is just around 1/2 inch thick.
- Calcium has actually been applied to the rod.
- Insulate older systems with a fiberglass jacket to boost effectiveness, making sure not to come into contact with the flue (more recent systems are currently insulated; consult your owner’s manual to confirm).
Insulate the cold and hot water lines as well.
When you leave for an extended period of time, set the thermostat on gas heating systems to “vacation,” which keeps the pilot light lit but does not heat up the water.
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How Often Do You Need Water Heater Upkeep?
Water Heater care is needed not just for keeping you warm throughout the winter months. Hot Water Heating systems that are damaged or faulty can even lead to extreme burns to you and your family members.
How often should you do water heater maintenance, and what are the caution signals that anything is not right with your water heater?
Let’s go over how often you need to carry out water heater maintenance.
In general, the life expectancy of your water heater will be between eight and twelve years. Of course, a variety of aspects can have an influence on this life expectancy.
- The positioning of the water heater in your house.
- How correctly it was set up.
- The make/model of the heater itself.
- And even the quality of care you provide will all have a result.
Experts suggest getting your water heater emptied out at least once a year for repair work and maintenance. Basically, this implies that your tank should be emptied with a hose and after that filled up with clean water.
This helps in the elimination of excess dirt from your heater, which, if left untreated, can trigger significant damage and blockages in your system. An inspection and deep cleaning of the water heater’s coils, rods, and other parts need to be consisted of in the maintenance.
Warnings You May Need Water Heater Upkeep
Now that you have a much better idea of how often you should get your hot water heater serviced, what should you do next?
It’s time to start paying closer attention to the signs that something isn’t really right with your heater. You need to act right away if you find any of the following signs. A faulty water heater could erupt, causing serious harm to you or your family.
1. You See Leakages
Of course, you’ll recognize you need water heater maintenance if you see a leakage or a big puddle around your heater. Nevertheless, not all indicators of a leakage are as clear.
In general, you need to check for leakages around your hot water heater at least as soon as a month. Search for drips, damp flooring, and even a musty odor around the heater.
2. Water Pressure Is Low
Low water pressure is annoying, but it is also a sign that your water heater needs to be serviced. This is probably due to the buildup of minerals or other kinds of dirt.
The pressure could also be low due to a kink in the pipeline or improper installation.
3. Noises
Your water heater will make a couple of random sounds that are not alarming. What if you start to hear a lot of clanging, clicking, or even something that sounds like popping?
It is probably a sign of a more serious problem. Normally, what is taking place is that your heater is overheating as it tries to adjust for blockages in the system.
Not just will this increase your hot water cost, but it might also raise your risk of burns if you go into touch with the heater.
4. Rusty Water
Another warning signal is that something is wrong with your water heater. Examine the water streaming from your faucets.
- Is the color rusty and reddish-brown?
- Is there an extremely metal taste to it if you’ve attempted to drink it?
- Does your water constantly appear unclean?
You are in immediate need of water heater maintenance if this is the case.
This is due to the fact that the pipelines themselves have actually probably started to rust. In some cases, you might have the ability to address this problem without the aid of a specialist.
Begin by emptying as much hot water as possible from your heater. (For your safety, we suggest using a five-gallon pail.) If, after the third five-gallon pail, you’re still seeing the reddish-brown color?
It implies that the concern is with your water heater rather than your pipelines.
If this is the case, it is best to look for the aid of an expert. They’ll have the ability to drain your tank more completely, and they’ll probably examine the overall condition of your pipelines.
When it comes to water heater maintenance, always depend on the services of a professional when in doubt.
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