A water heater is an essential household appliance that allows you to enjoy hot water whenever you want. This makes it possible to properly sanitize your dishes and clothes and take a hot shower. Properly maintaining your water heater is key to ensuring it runs efficiently, lasts as long as possible, and provides reliable hot water when needed. The following are a few tips you can employ to help maintain your water heater and extend its lifespan. By calling Mend Services for a regular maintenance visit, we can perform many of these tasks so that all you have to do is enjoy your hot water.
Flush the Tank Annually
Flushing your water heater annually is one of the best things you can do to help it perform optimally and extend its lifespan. Some homeowners do this themselves, but our plumbers are ready to handle this task for you. Over time, minerals like calcium and magnesium, along with other sediments, can accumulate at the bottom of the tank. This is especially true if you live in an area with hard water. When this sediment builds up inside the tank, it can disrupt the efficiency of your water heater by restricting water flow. It can also act as an insulator between the water and heating elements, inhibiting heat transfer and forcing the heater to work harder than it should. This can lead to greater energy consumption and a shortened lifespan for the heater.
Test the Pressure Relief Valve
Every water heater comes equipped with a pressure relief valve designed to release excess pressure from the tank. This helps prevent potential explosions and tank ruptures due to overpressure. Regularly testing the pressure release valve will ensure that this critical safety feature remains in good working order and decreases the chances of your water heater dealing with a critical malfunction. A pressure relief valve also monitors the water temperature in the tank. If the water temperature rises above a certain temperature, typically 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the valve will open and release some water to lower the temperature. This will help prevent scalding and damage to the tank, providing a longer lifespan for your water heater system. This and other safety checks can be performed at a maintenance visit.
Insulate the Tank and Pipes
Insulating your water tank and pipes is another useful tip to help improve its efficiency while protecting your system from inclement weather. Our plumbers can help you find the right water heater insulation blanket that fits your tank size and provides the best insulation. These blankets or jackets are usually made of fiberglass, foil, or foam and include an outer layer that helps retain heat. This can help lower your energy usage by reducing heat loss during the cold winter months. It can also help prevent your pipes from freezing during a severe cold snap.
Check for Leaks on a Regular Basis
Water leaks are a common sign of something wrong with your water heater. You should regularly inspect your water tank and the surrounding area for any visible signs of leaks so that you can promptly address and fix an issue before it becomes a larger one. By promptly fixing a water leak, you will help maintain the efficiency of your water heater system by reducing the work the heater needs to do to keep the water at a consistent temperature.
If hot water is continuously leaking out of the tank, it will be replaced by cold water that needs to be heated. This will cause your water heater to run more frequently than it should, resulting in unnecessary wear and tear and higher energy bills. It can also cause water damage to your home and belongings. Our team of plumbing experts at Mend Services can inspect all areas of your water heater to ensure there are no leaks that will cause damage to your system.
Adjust the Thermostat for Vacations
Your water heater is a significant energy consumer in your home, especially if it has a conventional storage tank. This type of water heater has a storage tank that continually heats the water to keep it at the set temperature. If you will not be at home for an extended time, you should lower the temperature on the thermostat. This will help reduce energy consumption as there is no need to have hot water ready to go if no one is around to access it. Some models have a vacation mode that automatically does this, and the settings may be available via Wi-Fi.
Inspect the Anode Rod
Inside your water heater is a special rod known as the anode rod. This crucial component is typically made of magnesium, aluminum, or an alloy. It is designed to attract corrosive elements inside the water tank. The rod attracts these corrosive elements, damaging the rod and not the tank’s inner lining. This useful device helps extend the lifespan of your water heater while maintaining high-quality water. Regularly checking the status of this rod will help ensure you replace it as soon as it shows signs of excessive corrosion. This task should only be done by a licensed professional.
Check the Temperature Setting
The temperature setting plays a critical role in the performance of your water heater. If you have it set too high, your water heater will run more than it should to keep the water in the tank at a higher temperature. If you set the temperature too low, you run the risk of bacterial growth. The recommended temperature to set your water heater is 120 degrees. This is not so hot that it damages the inside of the tank and causes scalding, but it is warm enough to deter bacterial growth.
Remove Clutter Around Your Water Heater
While it is easy for clutter to gather in many places in your home, it’s important that you don’t allow it to gather near your water heater. This is especially true if you have a gas-powered water heater, as these models can reach high temperatures and may have open flames or pilot lights. These open flames can ignite various items and cause a fire. Also, if there is too much clutter around a gas water heater, it can impact the ventilation. Gas water heaters require proper airflow to operate efficiently. You want to do everything you can to ensure your water heater gets the air it needs to operate at peak performance.
We’re Your Expert Plumbers
If you are looking for the best way to take care of your water heater repair, contact our friendly staff at Mend Services. We are proud to be considered Austin’s premier plumbing service. In addition to water heater installation, repair, and maintenance, we offer expert HVAC services, including furnace and AC installation, repair, and maintenance, EV charging station installation, and home generator installation. For more information about how we can help improve your water heater’s performance, call us today!
