Utilize this fundamental maintenance approach to keep your water heater operating effectively and reliably.
Water heaters work hard to provide you with warm showers, clean wardrobes, and shining pots and pans.
So demonstrate your water heater some love by following a scheduled maintenance program that will keep it working for its estimated 15-year lifespan, and possibly beyond.
Here is what you must do:
Set the thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You’ll save as much as 5% on energy bills for every single 10 degrees you lower the temperature level, and you’ll also reduce the risk of scalding.
Unless otherwise specified in the manual, keep a 2-foot clearance around the appliance.
- Empty about a quarter of the tank a couple of times a year to get rid of sediment and debris.
- Turn off the cold water supply, connect a garden tubing to the drain valve, and run the water into a pail up until it is clear.
Open the water supply valve briefly to stir up any leftover particles before emptying the tank again if the water remains hazy. This also lowers the system’s noise level.
Test the temperature-pressure relief valve once a year by rapidly discharging it two or 3 times. Keep a lookout for tiny leaks from the valve after the testing.
Take a look at the sacrificial anode rod every 3 years by eliminating the hex and loosening head screw.
Replace the rod if any of the following conditions exist:
(A 13-inch zinc-aluminum anode rod expenses approximately $16).
- More than 6 inches of core steel wire is visible.
- The rod is just around 1/2 inch thick.
- Calcium has been applied to the rod.
- Insulate older systems with a fiberglass jacket to enhance efficiency, making sure not to come into contact with the flue (more recent systems are already insulated; consult your owner’s manual to verify).
Insulate the cold and hot water lines.
When you leave for a prolonged time period, set the thermostat on gas heating systems to “vacation,” which keeps the pilot burner lit but does not warm the water.
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How Frequently Do You Need Hot Water Heater Upkeep?
Hot water heater care is essential not just for keeping you warm throughout the winter months. Warm Water Heating units that are damaged or faulty can also trigger serious burns to you and your family.
However how frequently should you do water heater upkeep, and what are the warning signals that anything is wrong with your water heater?
Initially, let’s talk about how often you need to carry out water heater maintenance.
In general, the lifespan of your hot water heater will be between 8 and twelve years. Obviously, a variety of aspects can have an impact on this lifespan.
- The placement of the hot water heater in your home.
- How properly it was installed.
- The make/model of the heating unit itself.
- And even the quality of care you give will all have a result.
Experts advise getting your water heater emptied out at least once a year for repair work and maintenance. Essentially, this suggests that your tank needs to be emptied with a hose and then refilled with clean water.
This helps in the elimination of excess dirt from your heating unit, which, if left unchecked, can trigger major damage and blockages in your system. An assessment and deep cleansing of the water heater’s coils, rods, and other parts need to be included in the maintenance.
Signs You May Need Hot Water Heater Upkeep
Now that you have a better idea of how frequently you should get your water heater serviced, what should you do next?
It’s time to start paying closer attention to the signals that something isn’t quite right with your heating unit. If you detect any of the following symptoms, you need to act as soon as possible. A defective water heating unit could blow up, causing severe damage to you or your household.
1. You See Leaks
Obviously, you’ll know you require hot water heater maintenance if you see a leakage or a big puddle around your heating unit. However, not all signals of a leakage are as clear.
In general, you need to look for leaks around your warm water heating unit at least as soon as a month. Look for drips, moist flooring, or perhaps a musty smell around the heating unit.
2. Water Pressure Is Low
Low water pressure is annoying, but it is also a warning 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 faulty setup.
3. Sounds
Your hot water heater will make a couple of random noises 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 warning of a more severe problem. Usually, what is taking place is that your heating unit is overheating as it tries to change for blockages in the system.
Not just will this increase your warm water cost, but it might also raise your risk of burns if you get into touch with the heating unit.
4. Rusty Water
Another alerting signal is that something is wrong with your water heater. Take a look at the water streaming from your faucets.
- Is the color rusty and reddish-brown?
- Is there an extremely metallic taste to it if you’ve attempted to drink it?
- Does your water regularly appear filthy?
You are in urgent need of water heating unit upkeep if this is the case.
This is due to the fact that the pipelines themselves have actually probably begun to rust. In many cases, you might have the ability to address this problem without the aid of a specialist.
Begin by emptying as much warm water as possible from your heating unit. (For your protection, we advise utilizing a five-gallon bucket.) If, after the third five-gallon bucket, you’re still seeing the reddish-brown color?
It suggests that the issue is with your water heater rather than your pipelines.
It is best to seek the aid of an expert if this is the case. They’ll have the ability to drain your tank more totally, and they’ll probably inspect the total condition of your pipelines.
When it pertains to hot water heater maintenance, constantly rely on the services of a professional when in doubt.
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