7 Essential Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Home maintenance can be exhausting. There are so many areas that need to be taken care of. So many little things you should have been watching for. 

One of those areas just happens to be your water heater. Water heater maintenance has different areas that you should be paying attention to. Things you can do to prevent frequent replacement. 

Here is a list of seven water heater maintenance options that are available to you right now. Keep that inspection up to date so that you don’t have a flood on your hands. 

1. Flush It Yearly

Just like anything else in your house, the water heater also requires maintenance. One of the ways to do this is to flush it yearly. You can do this to assure that your water heater lasts longer. 

The importance of doing this is to clean up some of the build-up. This will help with making the water heater run better. It will also help to protect the inside of your water heater.

Flushing it will not reverse any internal damage. It will prolong the life of your water heater and make it last longer. This will help to keep you from having to buy a frequent replacement. 

Keeping up to date with flushing it will give you an indication of rising problems. Monitor the water color that comes from your tank as well. 

2. Ensure There Are No Leaks 

One of the most important things you can do to take care of your water heater is to constantly check the tank. Make sure that there are no visible cracks around the tank. Cracks mean that you have trouble. 

Along with water heater maintenance tips is to make sure there are no leaks. A leak is the first visible sign that your water heater is going. Your water heater should be regularly looked at for any sign that leaks are happening. 

Doing this will prevent a flood in the event that your water heater goes suddenly. 

3. Connection Checker

The connections to your water heater should be an area that is regularly inspected. While cracks and leaks can indicate problems, your connections can as well. Familiarize yourself with what they look like when they are put in. 

Leaks and rust are clear indicators that something is wrong with your water heater. Your hot water heater should not have rust or mold around them. They should be clean and dry at all times. 

If you’re finding rust and grime around your connections this indicates a leak. Even a small leak means that there is something wrong with your water heater. 

4. Maintain Temperature Pressure Relief Valve

Another thing you can do to protect your water heater is to flush the relief valve regularly. This will ensure that your heater is working correctly. The valve is where the pressure builds up. 

Checking the pressure in the valve is easier than you may think. It simply requires placing a bucket underneath the lever. If you are able to open the valve and water comes out there is no problem. 

If there is only a trickle, your valve may need replacement. Doing this often will help you to maintain a clean and working water heater. 

5. Intake Filter Needs Attention

Much of your water heater hinges on the intake filter. Your filter needs to be cleaned regularly. At least once a year your filter should be replaced so that it doesn’t accumulate buildup. 

Changing your filters is almost the same as checking an air conditioning filter. It improves the overall health of your water heater. It also reassures you that there aren’t any major complications.

This should be done often so that you can keep an eye on any potential problems. Water heater maintenance is imperative to keeping everything in working order. 

6. Anode Rod Change

The anode rod is something you should familiarize yourself with. This rod delays any corrosion of the tank. It will allow you to get longer use out of your hot water heater. 

Over time this rod wears away. You should replace this rod roughly 5 times over the life of your hot water heater. If you think that something is wrong with your hot water heater sooner than there should be, read this blog. 

Changing the rod should be relatively easy. Directions on how to change the anode rod are in your manual. 

7. Professional Inspection Is Best

The best way to maintain your water heater maintenance is through yearly professional inspections. A professional knows exactly what to look for with your water heater. They will be able to identify any potential problems. 

By having a professional inspection, you are guaranteed to know if problems come up ahead of time. They will be able to do any water heater repair that may be necessary to elongate the life of your heater. 

The benefit of a professional also includes water heater replacement. If your water heater is going, they can steer you in the right direction of buying a new one. 

Water Heater Maintenance Is Imperative 

The upkeep of your hot water heater can be a difficult job. There are so many areas that need to be checked and monitored to ensure that it is in correct working order. Water heater maintenance will keep your tank working for years. 

If you find that your hot water heater is leaking or rusting, contact a professional. Proper maintenance should keep the need for replacement at bay.

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