WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT WATER HEATER MAINTENANCE AND HOW TO EXTEND ITS LIFE

Regardless of the type of water heater your home has, it's important to keep up with regular maintenance to keep the appliance in good condition for years.

A tank-style water heater will last about eight to 12 years, while a tankless water heater can last up to 20 years. Homeowners and DIYers with some basic plumbing knowledge can take care of most water heater maintenance. However, you should have a professional inspection and service about once every four to five years.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about water heater maintenance.

Water Heater Maintenance Tips

General Inspections

The water heater should be inspected visually about once every two to three months. This involves checking the water heater body, pipes, gaskets, screws and other connections for any leaks, worn gaskets, loose connections, and any corrosion on the water heater or the pipes.

Flush the Water Heater

One of the most important maintenance tasks homeowners can do is flushing the water heater about once or twice a year. Flushing the water heater gets rid of sediment build-up and helps to increase the longevity and efficiency of the system.

Turn off the thermostat, shut down the water supply to the tank, then turn off the electricity at the circuit breaker or shut off the gas supply to the system. Connect a garden hose to the drainage spigot, then run the hose to a suitable location to drain the tank. Open a nearby hot water faucet, then turn on the spigot and drain the tank to flush out any sediment.

Check the Anode Rod

The anode rod is intended to prevent the inside of the tank from corroding. However, this means that the anode rod will gradually corrode, so part of water heater maintenance is to evaluate it and replace it if necessary.

Start by turning off the water heater and cutting off the electrical or gas supply to the unit. Next, use the drainage spigot and a garden hose to drain about 10 percent of the water from the tank. Locate the anode rod at the top of the tank and loosen the hex head securing the rod to the tank. Pull the anode rod out to inspect it, then either reinstall the existing anode rod or replace it with a new anode rod.

Test the Temperature and Pressure (T&P) Valve

The temperature and pressure (T&P) valve is designed to open when the pressure inside the tank is too high. By automatically opening this valve, the tank can release some of the pressure. If the T&P valve is not working properly, the system may not be able to release this pressure, which can cause issues with the performance of the unit, but can also lead to the tank exploding in extreme cases.

Test the T&P valve about once every two to three months; it takes just a few minutes. First, locate the T&P valve on the top or side of the unit, then remove the drain pipe attached to the valve using a set of pliers or a plumber's wrench. Next, gently lift up the T&P valve lever to drain a small amount of air and water from the unit. As long as water and air escape the valve when you lift the lever, then the valve is operating properly.

Verify the Thermostat Setting

Check the thermostat setting during a visual inspection to ensure that the unit is set between 120°F and 140°F. If you are leaving for an extended period of time, consider turning the temperature down or setting the water heater to vacation mode to help save on energy bills. Also, consider wrapping the water heater with a water heater blanket to insulate the unit and reduce heat loss.

What to Expect During Professional Water Heater Maintenance

When you hire a water heater repair and maintenance professional, they will go through a list of items to check during water heater maintenance. This typically includes inspecting the T&P valve, checking the anode rod, flushing the water heater, testing the thermostat, looking for leaks, and conducting a visual inspection of the pipes and water heater for signs of corrosion.

Professionals plumbers with substantial experience working with water heaters may be able to spot an issue that a DIYer's general inspections missed, so hire a professional for water heater maintenance at least once every four to five years.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of maintenance do water heaters need?

Regular water heater maintenance will typically include flushing the unit, checking for leaks, inspecting and replacing the anode rod, if necessary, testing the temperature and pressure (T&P) valve, and checking the thermostat. You may also want to add insulation around the water heater to reduce energy loss.

What happens if you don't flush your water heater?

If the water heater is not flushed, the sediment will accumulate on the heating element, making it more difficult to heat the contents of the tank. As the scaling builds up, it acts as an insulating layer, preventing the element from heating the water. This can cause the water heater to overheat and fail if the issue is not resolved.

Read the original article on The Spruce.

2023-10-27T10:27:21Z dg43tfdfdgfd