How to Maintain Your Water Heater to Extend Its Life

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Your water heater plays a significant role in your family. It works hard every day to provide the hot water needs of all your family members. Also, it increases efficiency and saves you money on your utility bills. Having said it, it’s therefore important to check and maintain your water heater on a regular basis. Read on this article as we’ll provide a water heater maintenance checklist that can help prolong its life and prevent further problems that may arise due to your negligence. Follow these simple steps to make the most out of your water heater.

1. Look around the area

Water Heater
The first thing you should do is to look around the area before you get in touch with your water heater. You should find some warning signs that may signal a potential plumbing problem. For example, inspect your shower and faucets to ensure that they’re working properly. Assess your water heater unit for all signs of leaks, drips and even cracks. Make sure you also know how to turn a gas water heater on and examine if it’s burning efficiently.

2. Conduct a maintenance inspection every year

If you want to extend the life of your water heater, conducting a maintenance check once a year is a must. Like taking your car for a tune up, your water heater also needs proper maintenance to make sure it’s working properly. Remember, a defective water heating device will not be able to serve your family’s needs. That’s why getting it inspected annually is essential. After all, the inspection will only take a few minutes of your time. Be sure to have a run through of the temperature pressure release valve and the temperature settings during the checkup. Also, don’t forget to check the pipes and tank for any potential insulation issues.

3. Add insulation

You shouldn’t always rely upon the lifespan of your water heater to itself. Sometimes, it’s best to look for practical ways to keep your heater in good working condition and one of them is insulation. There are several amazing advantages to adding insulation to your home. It helps regulate the temperature of your home in the sense that it remains cool during summer and warm during winter. Consequently, the presence of insulation results in a ton of benefits when it comes to energy efficiency and the extension of the life of various systems including your water heater. Not only that but insulating your water heater can reduce the costs associated with water heating like the ones reflected on your utility bills. The insulation also provides a substantial reduction of the amount of heat loss.

4. Drain and flush

As your water heater continues to keep a tank of hot water day and night, it’s not impossible that sediment accumulates inside the tank. This is due to the impurities in the water which are heated leading to its condensation into chunks. The buildup of sediment has a huge impact on the efficiency of the tank. And as time goes by, it can result in premature problems. On the flip side, you can lessen these issues and increase the lifespan of your water heater. Simply drain and flush it once every year. This task, for instance, will require at least 30 minutes to complete the process.

5. Check and set the appropriate temperature

You should know the temperature of your water heater. Most of the time, many homeowners don’t bother to inspect their device’s thermostat unless there’s something wrong going on with the system. Moreover, refrain from consistently set a high temperature so it will not cost bucks of money. By lowering the thermostat, you’ll not only keep some money on your pocket but you’ll also help extend the life of your family’s most loved water heating unit.

6. Replace the anode rod

Replace the anode rod
The anode rod equipped in all water tanks plays an essential function. It’s there to protect the tank from rusting, thereby increasing your water heater’s life. However, if you don’t mind replacing the anode rod once every 3 to 5 years, your tank will start to corrode. When this happens, you should immediately consult a professional plumber for assistance. If possible, let them check your tank’s anode rod to make sure your device will last longer than the usual.

Final Thoughts

Following these essential tips will go a long way to delay your water heater’s demise. You should always ensure the efficiency of this water heating device for the benefit of your family. And by doing an annual maintenance check, you’ll be able to free yourself from some further problems that your defective water heater may have caused you. However, if you find a hard time troubleshooting your unit, don’t hesitate to call a technician for a water heater repair. Maintaining a good relationship with your local contractor can save you in a 24-hour emergency situation.

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