Essential Water Heater Maintenance: Keep Your Hot Water Flowing Smoothly

Water heaters are a critical part of every home, providing hot water for showers, laundry, cooking, and more. However, many homeowners overlook routine maintenance for this essential appliance, which can lead to inefficiency, costly repairs, or even premature failure.

9 Essential Water Heater Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Water Running Smoothly

Proper water heater maintenance can help extend the lifespan of your unit, improve its efficiency, and prevent unexpected breakdowns. There are some easy steps to ensure your water heater continues to run smoothly.

1. Check the Temperature Setting

One of the easiest and most effective ways to maintain your water heater is by adjusting the temperature setting. Many water heaters are set too high, which can waste energy and even pose a safety risk.

• Ideal Temperature: Set the thermostat on your water heater to 130°F. This is hot enough for most household needs, including bathing and washing dishes, and it can reduce the risk of scalding.
• Safety Tip: If you have young children or elderly family members in your home, it’s especially important to keep the water temperature at a safe level to avoid burns.

2. Inspect the Anode Rod Regularly

The anode rod is a crucial component that helps prevent corrosion inside the tank. Over time, the anode rod wears down and needs to be replaced. Without a functioning anode rod, your tank is at risk of corrosion, which can lead to leaks and even a complete tank failure.

• How Often to Check: Inspect the anode rod annually, or follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
• What to Look For: If the rod is heavily corroded or worn down to less than 1/2 inch, it’s time to replace it.

3. Replace the Anode Rod

If you notice that the anode rod is heavily corroded or deteriorated, it’s essential to replace it. A failing anode rod can lead to tank corrosion, leaks, and a significantly reduced lifespan for your water heater.

• How to Replace: Call Zeek Plumbing at (866) 635-0200 or use our book online feature to help install your new anode rod.
• Warranties: Some manufacturers can void warranties on residential water heaters if the anode rod is not inspected or replaced annually

4. Flush the Tank to Remove Sediment Buildup

Sediment buildup can accumulate inside your water heater over time, especially if you have hard water. This sediment (often calcium or lime) can reduce the efficiency of your heater, increase energy bills, and potentially damage the unit.

• Flushing the Tank: Flushing the tank once a year can help remove sediment and keep your water heater running efficiently.
• How to Flush:
  • Turn off the power or gas supply to the water heater.
  • Shut off the cold water supply valve.
  • Attach a hose to the drainage valve at the bottom of the tank and direct the hose to a floor drain or outside.
  • Open the drainage valve and let the water drain out. You may see sediment coming out of the water.
  • Once the water runs clear, close the valve and refill the tank.
  • Turn the power or gas back on.

If you would rather a professional flush your tank, please contact Zeek Plumbing at (866) 635-0200 or use our book online feature.

5. Inspect the Water Heater’s Pressure Relief Valve

The temperature and pressure relief valve is a safety feature that helps prevent the tank from building up excessive pressure. It’s important to check this valve regularly to make sure it’s functioning properly.

• When to Replace: If the valve is leaking or the lever doesn’t operate smoothly, it’s time to replace it.

6. Examine the Water Heater for Leaks

Leaks are a clear sign that something is wrong with your water heater. Even a small leak can cause significant water damage over time, so it’s important to catch any issues early.

• Where to Look: Check around the base of the tank, the connections, the drain valve, and the pressure relief valve. Look for signs of moisture or water pooling around the unit.
• What to Do: If you notice a leak, it may be caused by a faulty valve, a loose connection, or a damaged tank. Small leaks can sometimes be repaired, but larger ones typically mean the unit needs to be replaced. For water heater replacement please contact Zeek Plumbing at (866) 635-0200 or use our book online feature.

7. Check for Odd Noises

Noises coming from your water heater, such as rumbling, popping, or cracking sounds, can indicate a buildup of sediment in the tank. As sediment accumulates, it can create pressure that causes water to boil underneath it, leading to these sounds.

• What It Means: These noises are a sign that the tank has sediment build up inside the tank. It does not indicate any specific issue that may arise, but with sediment, corrosion can begin and the tank can become compromised.

Also, Read – 10 Common Water Heater Problems and How to Fix Them

8. Insulate the Tank and Pipes

If your water heater is older or located in a cold area (like a garage or basement), insulating the tank and pipes can improve energy efficiency by reducing heat loss. This is a relatively simple task that can lead to lower energy bills over time.

9. Professional Inspections and Servicing

While most of the tasks mentioned above can be done by homeowners, it’s a good idea to have a professional plumber or technician inspect your water heater every few years. A professional can check for any hidden issues, clean parts of the system that you may not be able to reach, and ensure everything is functioning properly.

• When to Schedule Professional Service: Consider scheduling a professional maintenance check every 2 to 3 years or if you notice any issues like strange noises, leaks, or temperature problems. Please contact Zeek Plumbing at (866) 635-0200 or use our book online feature for a maintenance check of your water heater.

Conclusion

Regular water heater maintenance is essential to extend the life of your unit and keep it running efficiently. By following these basic maintenance steps—checking the temperature, inspecting the anode rod, flushing the tank, testing the pressure relief valve, and more—you can avoid expensive repairs and keep your water heater in great shape for years to come.

Taking a little time to care for your water heater will not only save you money in energy costs, but it will also help prevent inconvenient breakdowns when you need hot water most.