Proper Maintenance of Water Heater

by

Avis Sallis

You have to face the fact that your water heater is an essential appliance in your household. It never fails to provide enough warm water for your entire family until it breaks down. Having a malfunctioning water heater can be troublesome, especially if it’s not producing sufficient hot water for your household. When this happens, it is best to buy a replacement water heater for your convenience. If you want to extend the lifespan of your unit, maintain it regularly at least twice in a year.

To avoid accidents, always keep your heating source turned off during the maintenance period. If you have an electric water heater, shut down your circuit breaker. For gas water heaters, simply turn off the gas supply valve. Do not let water enter your storage tank while maintaining your water heater.

Every water heater has a T&P valve installed inside the tank to protect it from overheating or unexpectedly blowing up. Allowing too much pressure sitting inside your tank can cause this valve to open more often, allowing water to leak easily. You can test it by allowing water to flow by lifting the lever and let it snap back on its own to stop the water flow. You should hear gurgling sounds during the process. If you think your T&P valve is malfunctioning, replace it as soon as possible.

Another tip on how to maintain your water heater is to drain and flush it a few times a year. This is an important step to remove the sediments and the hard water mineral minerals sitting inside your tank for a long time. However, you have to be careful not to scald yourself while draining your tank. You can avoid this incident from happening by switching off your heater the night before you perform a maintenance. Attach a standard hose to the drain valve and open it. Let the water flow to a gutter or drainage until your tank is empty. Use a bucket and put it below the drain valve to start flushing the filth inside your tank. Open your cold water supply valve and observe until the water is clear. You can enjoy clean water coming from your storage tank.

If you are tired of seeing your heating system leak all the time, you can start by adjusting its temperature. Experts say it is wise to set it between 115 to 120 degrees. This should not be a problem since it is easy to locate the thermostat behind the heating panel. Of course, you can just turn the knob right on the gas valve if you have a gas water heater. If the problem persists, contact a specialist as soon as possible.

Another important part of your water heater is the anode rod. This is responsible for absorbing all the hard water mineral deposits sitting inside your tank, preventing it from rusting completely. You may need to drain all the water to check the status of your anode rod. Once you see metal wires around the rod, replace it immediately.

Insulating your water heater can also help you save on your energy consumption. Buy an insulation kit or heater blanket that has a higher R-value to keep your tank insulated enough. If you have an R-value of less than 24, change your insulation as soon as possible.

Do not attempt to maintain your water heater without reading the guidelines in your water heater manual. If you are not comfortable in doing it on your own, calling a specialist is always a good option to make sure your unit is well-maintained. When this happens, you can now sit back and relax while the professional completes the task for you. Arlington, VA Water Heater Repair Specialists

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