Your water heater is an essential part of your home that you may not think about every day.
As its name implies, it is in charge of controlling the water temperature in your faucets, showers, and appliances.
Hybrids are built for energy efficiency and point-of-use and are ideal for delivering hot water to places further from the main water heater.
No matter what type of water heater you have, maintaining them and tuning them up is essential.
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Why Regular Water Heater Maintenance is Important
Regular maintenance can increase the lifespan of your water heater and optimize its efficiency. Not only that, regular maintenance will save you money on your utility bills!
Let’s break down what you should keep an eye out for before you call a professional.
Increased Sediment Reduces Efficiency
The worst enemy of your hot water tank is sediment. Sediment can cause all of the following:
- Corrosion
- Decreased efficiency
- Decreased maximum water volume
- Shorter life
Sediment in your water heater is one of the top causes for shorter lifespans.
It’s natural for it to collect in your water heater and, overtime, it will build up to the point where it can severely damage your system.
Sediment can be anything from dust, dirt, calcium, and other metals found in the water.
In a gas water heater, sediment can create hot spots that cause damage.
In an electric water heater, these minerals can cause the heating element to fail. Flushing and maintaining your water heater regularly will help.
Regularly flushing your hot water heater will get rid of any sediments that built up over time.
This will save you money and help your system heat the water faster! It also allows your hot water heater to maintain full volume.
Tips for Flushing Out Your Water Heater
You can flush out your water heater without the help of a professional, if you know where all the water valves are and have access to a drain. You should do it once every 6-12 months for maximum effectiveness.
Why? Because flushing out your water heater gets rid of sediment!
Here’s how to do it:
- Turn the knob on your hot water heater’s thermostat to “off”
- Turn off the gas to the hot water heater
- Turn off the cold water supply to the water heater
- Turn on the hot water in a sink or a bathtub
- Leave them on during the flushing process to prevent a vacuum from forming in any of the water lines
- Open the pressure relief valve
- Connect a garden hose to the drainage spigot on the water heater
- Make sure the end of this hose leads outside, into a bucket, or directly into a drain!
- Turn on the spigot to start draining
- Flush the system by turning on the cold water spigot that leads into your hot water tank
- Let it run until the water leaving your heater comes out clear
Corrosion Can Cause Failure
You should check your water line and water heater for corrosion once a year.
Corrosion is the gradual destruction of metal due to a chemical reaction to the environment. More commonly, it’s known as rust.
If you find it on the outside of your tank or on your waterline, rust is always a cause for concern.
You should contact a professional Water heater repair service immediately if you notice any rust or corrosion on the heater. They can decide if repairs can fix the problem or if you will need a replacement.
If you ignore the damage, it could lead to the line or heater failing, leaking, pipes bursting, or flooding your home.
Rust can also cause problems when exposed to your water, including a metallic flavor and discoloration, which can stain your sink, appliances, and skin.
Regularly Check the Temperature Relief Valve
The temperature relief valve protects your water heater from problems if the temperature or pressure inside your tank gets too high. It is basically the unit’s failsafe switch.
If you notice that it seems damaged, or are worried that it’s not working properly, a professional can check it out.
The valve should be tested at least once a year to avoid water heater repair issues, especially if your home’s water heater is less than five years old.
Schedule Regular Inspections and Tune Ups
The best thing you can do to tune up your water heater is have it inspected on a yearly basis.
A qualified plumber will check all wiring, plumbing connections, and for signs of corrosion to ensure it’s in proper working order.
They should offer water heater repair, installation, and replacement services and emergency repairs for around-the-clock problems.
Whether you simply want to make sure yours is performing as it should, or you need to replace your current water heater and upgrade to one of our new tankless heaters, make sure you call a reputable plumber to help.
