If taking cold showers is going to be a problem with you, it is very important that you keep your water heater in top form. Performing a thorough inspection twice a year can help minimize the risk of your water heater suddenly breaking down. Aside from that, giving your water heater some TLC can actually extend its lifespan. So really, there’s no bad thing that can come of doing some water heater maintenance!
Here are some basic steps you can do:
CHECK FOR ANY SIGN OF PROBLEM
Okay, so before you do anything to your water heater, before even touching it, you should check some areas for any warning signs that there might be a problem. What should be your first stop? Your faucets and showers, of course! Is the water a little hotter or colder than it used to be? This could be telling you that there’s a problem with the thermostat or heating element.
When you perform the inspection, make sure you check for any drips or puddles that may be indicative of a leak. Also, see if there are any cracks or rust buildup on the tank’s exterior. If you find these, call Hayes Plumbing and we can have a trained professional check to see if your unit is needing a replacement.
CHECK THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
Manually open the valve and see if it does that (and closes, too) easily. Make sure the drain outlet is clear. You’d know everything is working well if hot water sprays out.
REMOVE SEDIMENTS BY FLUSHING THE TANK
Flip the circuit breaker and shut off the cold water inlet valve. Next, attach a house and run the drain outlet outside. Empty the tank by opening the pressure relief valve, as well as the drain valve. Sediments can accumulate at the bottom of your tank and harm it over time.
Once the tank is empty, close both the drain valve and the pressure relief valve. Every hot water faucet and shower in the house should be turned on. Then open the cold water inlet valve and fill the tank. As soon as the water starts flowing, turn off each fixture, flip the water heater circuit breaker switch, and enjoy clean and hot water from a sediment-free tank!
HAVE THE ANODE ROD CHECKED
The anode rod is that piece of metal extending into the tank and attracting all the possibly corrosive elements that can easily rust the tank. When it’s doing its job, the anode rod will soon rust away itself, and when it’s almost totally consumed, your tank is at risk of that rust damage. That is why it is important to occasionally check the anode rod and replace it as needed.
There is no better time to start giving your hot water heater some proper maintenance than now. If you do this and find out there is a problem, simply reach out to Hayes Plumbing and we’ll have one of our experts over to help you solve it!
