Water Heater Maintenance Tips You Should Follow

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Introduction

Upkeeping your water heater to run smoothly is an integral part of keeping your home comfortable. When your water heater is working correctly, it provides hot water quickly and efficiently. However, routine water heater maintenance is the best way to keep your water heater in good working order. You have to check water heaters at least once a year to ensure they are operating at peak performance. If you notice that your water heater isn’t heating as much water as it used to, or if it is taking a long time to heat, it may be time to have a professional look at it. Keeping your water heater in good working order can also help you avoid costly water heater repairs, saving your money and time.

Expert Tips For Water Heater Maintenance That You Should Follow

Here are a few water heater maintenance tips to increase the life of your water heater and keep it running smoothly.

Flush Water Heater Annually

It is crucial to clean out your water heater about once a year to maintain its durability and efficiency. However, it will allow you to clean out the interior of the tank and remove the buildup of sediment.

If you do not clean out your water heater, sediment will build up in your tank. It can cause a decrease in the efficiency of your water heater as well as shorten the life of the water tank itself. To clean out the sediment from your water heater, first shut off the water and turn off the power to the water heater. This will prevent damage from occurring while you are draining the tank. Then, attach a hose to the drain valve on your water heater and allow the water to drain completely from the tank.

Once your tank gets empty, turn off the drainage valve, refill the tank with cold water and turn the water heater power back on.

Lowering The Temperature

When lowering the water heater temperature, it is crucial to consider the risk of scalding. The lower the temperature, the less likely it is to experience hot water scalding. Also, lowering the temperature of your water heater reduces your energy costs. Increased heat causes water heater components to wear out faster, which increases the risk of heat-related injury.

The ideal temperature for a water heater is around 120 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s enough to kill pathogens at this temperature.

To reduce the temperature of the electric water heater, first, turn off the supply power to the heater. There is a thermostat on the side of the tank covered by a metal panel. Remove the access panel that covers the thermostat and adjusts the dial with the help of a flathead screwdriver.

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Check The Temperature Pressure Relief Valve

The TPR valve is typically located on the side of the water heater, but you can find it on the back sometimes. When opened, the TPR valve allows excess pressure to escape from the water heater without causing a leak. If the TPR valve stops working, it can be tested by turning on a faucet and seeing if the valve opens up. If it doesn’t work, you may need to replace the valve. You should inspect the TPR valve every year or two. If it leaks, you need to replace it immediately because it could cause damage to your water heater system.

Check The Condition Of The Anode Rod

Check the anode rod inside the tank. Anode rods are placed in tanks to protect them from corrosion and rust. If you don’t replace these rods when they lose their effectiveness, they can cause leaks or even cause a fire in the tank. To check whether your anode rods are working properly or not, turn off the power to the water heater and open its vent cap. Check for white or blue crystals around the base of the rod; if there are none, then it’s time to replace them with new ones. Check out the condition of the anode rod after every three years, and replace them if they are in the following conditions

Thickness of the rod reduced by less than half-inch
The core steel wire is exposed to more than 6 inches
Found calcium coat on rod
Smelly or discolored water

Cleaning Air Intake Filters

This method is used while repairing a tankless water heater. However, a tankless water heater consists of air intake filters. These air filters stop the entering of waste matter into the heater, which keeps the functioning of the water heater effective. However, you have to change air intake filters at regular intervals for proper functioning.

Cleaning Air Intake Filters

Accessible & Safe Water Heater Location

There are some common mistakes that people make during a water heater installation. One of these mistakes is not having enough space around the water heater to work on it. There should be at least two feet of space around the water heater, which helps in servicing the water heater without any collision.

If you have a gas water heater, do not place it near combustible materials like carpeting or upholstery. These materials can ignite if they come into contact with flames or sparks from your gas water heater.

The first thing to do is to locate the manual for your water heater. It will contain instructions on how to service your unit. The manual should also have information regarding the safety, maintenance, and repair of your unit.

Insulate Tank And Pipes

An insulated tank and pipes can help you save money on your water utility bill. When the temperature of the water in your tank fluctuates, it’s harder for the heater to keep up with demand. Insulation reduces this temperature fluctuation so that your heater doesn’t have to work as hard to keep up with demand.

To insulate your tank:

Get some fiberglass insulation at any hardware store or online.
Cut several sheets of insulation into strips roughly equal in size with one side slightly longer than the other. Rap those strips around your tank with one end overlapping so you have multiple layers covering every part of it.

Insulating your tank and pipes also helps reduce freezing risks associated with burst pipes caused by freezing temperatures outside—a big concern if you live in a region where winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing degrees Fahrenheit! By insulating these areas of your pipes, the chances are good that you will be able to avoid a costly water heater replacement due to frozen pipes during cold spells!

Call Professional Experts

When your water heater doesn’t perform efficiently after your continuous effort, it’s time to call a professional expert to fix your water heater problems.

Professional assistance can also aid in repairing damaged tanks that have lost their structural integrity due to corrosion or wear and tear. Expert technicians will inspect the infrastructure of your current system. After that, they make recommendations based on its condition. They may recommend replacing certain parts if necessary (such as when rusting components pose a risk). But they’ll always strive to keep costs low while maximizing safety standards throughout all phases of their service agreement with clients.

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