Water Heater Maintenance Tips for Lasting Efficiency

Water heaters are often taken for granted until they stop working.  There are some simple things you can do to make sure your water heater has a long and efficient life. 

Follow These Steps To Maintain Water Heaters 

Draining

To maintain your water heater, you should drain it at least once a year to remove the sediment, dirt, and minerals that have collected at the bottom.  Leaving them there too long can cause your heater to have to work harder and may damage the tank.  Depending on the quality of the water where you live, you may need to drain your water heater twice a year.  

• To start, you need a bucket, protection for your hands, and a garden hose.  
• Turn off the electricity or gas to the heater and then close the water shut off valve that is on the top. 
• Fasten the hose to the faucet at the bottom of the tank and then turn the valve.  
• After a few minutes, the water will stop and at that point you need to open the temperature and pressure release valve that you will find on the top of the unit.  This will allow air to flow into the tank that will push the water out.  

The time it takes to empty the tank should be around half an hour.  When it is finished, close the drain and disconnect the hose.  Place the bucket under the drain and turn on the water valve at the top to flush a little more water through the tank.  A gallon or two will probably be enough but you need to continue until the water runs clear.  When this is done, close the drain and then the temperature and pressure relief valve, followed by the water valve.  Do not turn on the gas or electricity until the heater is full of water.  

Other Maintenance Tips

While draining your water heater is an important step in water heater maintenance, another part of maintenance is making sure your heater is in good working order at all times. There is a quick check you can do to test if your temperature and pressure relief valve is working properly.  Simply lift the lever part of the way and then let go so that it snaps back into place.  At this point you should hear a gurgling noise as some water will drain out of the tank.  If you don’t hear that, your valve is not working properly.

Water heater maintenance can be a challenge if you don’t have professional knowledge about how water heaters work.  Custom ComfortClimateCare can help with maintenance and repairs of water heaters to make sure they remain in good working form at all times. 

FAQs

1. How often should I flush my water heater?

I suggest that you should flush your water heater at least once every year. If you live in an area of hard water, then you should do it twice in every year so that you avoid the accumulation of sediments.

2. What kind of tools will I be using in flushing my water heater?

Use a bucket, garden hose, and hand protection. You will also want to turn off the electricity or gas as well as close the water shut-off valve before you start the process.

3. Why is my water heater so loud?

Interesting noises, such as rumbling or popping, typically indicate that the tank has sediment that has accumulated. The solution to this problem may be to drain the tank. However, if that does not work, then professional maintenance will be necessary.

4. How do I check if the temperature and pressure relief valve is working?

Lift the lever on the valve partway, then let it snap back. You should hear a gurgling noise as water drains out of the tank. If you don’t hear this, the valve may be faulty and should be checked by a professional.

5. Can I do water heater maintenance myself, or is it best to hire a professional?

Those simple procedures, like draining the tank, can actually be done by yourself if you can do them step by step. For the complex cases or scheduled maintenance checks, it is usually recommended that you seek help from experts like Custom ComfortClimateCare so that your water heater will be in tip-top shape.