A water heater is an essential appliance in every home that provides hot water for a variety of household tasks, including cooking, bathing, and cleaning. To ensure that your water heater is working efficiently, it’s essential to maintain it regularly. Proper maintenance can not only improve the efficiency of your water heater but also extend its lifespan. Here are some tips for general maintenance of your water heater.
- Check the Pressure Relief Valve
The pressure relief valve is an essential safety feature of a water heater. It releases pressure and prevents the tank from exploding if the pressure inside the tank becomes too high. To check the pressure relief valve, turn off the power supply to the water heater and shut off the cold water supply. Then, lift the lever on the valve and allow the water to flow for a few seconds. If the valve doesn’t release any water or doesn’t stop releasing water, it may be faulty and needs to be replaced.
- Flush the Tank
Over time, sediment and minerals can accumulate at the bottom of the water heater tank, reducing its efficiency and leading to corrosion. To flush the tank, turn off the power supply to the water heater and shut off the cold water supply. Then, connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and open the valve to drain the tank. After the tank is completely drained, close the valve, remove the hose, and refill the tank with cold water.
- Insulate the Tank
Insulating the water heater tank can help to reduce heat loss, lower energy bills, and extend the lifespan of the water heater. You can purchase an insulating blanket from a hardware store and wrap it around the tank, leaving the access panels uncovered.
- Test the Heating Element
If your water heater is not heating the water correctly, it may be due to a faulty heating element. To test the heating element, turn off the power supply to the water heater and shut off the cold water supply. Then, remove the access panels and use a multi meter to check the resistance of the element. If the resistance is too high or too low, the heating element may be faulty and needs to be replaced.
- Check the Anode Rod
The anode rod is a metal rod that is inserted into the water heater tank to prevent corrosion. Over time, the rod can corrode and need to be replaced. To check the anode rod, turn off the power supply to the water heater and shut off the cold water supply. Then, remove the access panels and locate the anode rod. If the rod is less than ½ inch thick, it needs to be replaced.
- Schedule Professional Maintenance
It’s essential to have your water heater professionally serviced at least once a year. A professional plumber can inspect the water heater, clean the burner assembly, check for leaks, and ensure that the safety features are working correctly.
In conclusion, regular maintenance of your water heater can save you money on energy bills, prevent breakdowns, and extend the lifespan of your appliance. If you’re not comfortable performing maintenance on your water heater, contact a licensed plumber for assistance.
