A water heater is an absolute necessity in the cold weather. From maintaining your daily life routines to lowering your energy bills, a water heater cares for your hot water needs. But how often do you schedule a regular hot water system repair unless there is an issue?
You’ll be surprised that a water heater has a limited 6-7 year lifespan. However, proper care and maintenance of the device can make all the difference. Besides adding more years to a water heater’s life, you get the water at optimum temperature when you maintain it.
In this blog, we’ll explore a few ways of water heater care and maintenance. Meanwhile, you will also learn how to identify the problem signs to avoid any later issues.
How Do You Extend the Life of Your Water heater?
Before digging out the DIY tips for hot water system repair and maintenance, ensure you have everything handy. From materials like a socket wrench, cleaning solution, towels, and gloves to buckets, insulation blankets and screwdrivers, getting every tool in your house is a wise idea.
We also recommend avoiding getting overboard while doing any of the below methods. It is best to seek a professional plumber in point cook who will likely help with internal problems.
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Regular Flushing:
One of the most effective ways to enhance the longevity of your water heater is through regular flushing. Over time, sediment and minerals of the hard water can pile up in the bottom of the water heater tank. Homeowners hardly realize its effect because they perceive the hot water will reduce the impact. But that is where you are wrong.
Minerals and other minute toxic particles are drawn out along with the hot water, and the heater helps very little to reduce its impact. Instead, toxic minerals affect the water quality, and water may take longer than usual to heat up.
That is why regular flushing is necessary. Here is a method to do it effectively.
- Turn off the fuse box or electric panel that supplies power to the water heater. Or, turn the thermostat to pilot mode if you have a gas water heater.
- Then, turn off the shut-off valve at the top of the hot water system to stop the cold water from entering the tank.
- Let the water cool down slowly. Have patience; this step will take at least 6-8 hours. Draining out hot water directly can be risky for you and your surroundings.
- Locate the drain valve at the tank bottom and attach a garden hose; ensure it is adequately sized and durable.
- Place the other end of the hose to a nearby sink, bathroom or outside area where excess water from the heater should not harm anything. Try to keep the pipe at the same height or lower the height of the drain valve to let water out quickly.
- Turn on the hot water faucet until the water clears out to let sufficient air pass through the tank.
- Now, open the drain valve and let the water flush out entirely.
- Turn on the cold water supply to remove the remaining tiny particles and close it again.
- In the last step, close the drain valve and detach the hose. Turn on the cold water supply to refill the tank, ensuring the hot water faucet remains open.
Draining at least 6 gallons of water from the tank annually helps remove these deposits, promoting optimal performance.
When to Call a Professional:
It is best to call out the best plumber in point cook if:
- Flushing out the heater seems like a daunting task.
- You are running low on time to do any DIYs.
- A tank of your water heater cannot drain water quickly due to excess waste inside the tank.
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Set the Right Temperature:
While it might be tempting to raise the temperature high to enjoy the best showers in cold weather, there is always a risk factor to it. Setting excessively high temperatures can break down the water heater’s internal parts and overall functioning. That is why you must set your heater after reading through the manual instructions.
- Turn off the power system before setting up the temperature.
- Set the thermostat to 120 degrees to prevent bacteria and excess heat loss.
- In the case of a gas water heater, turn the temperature knob to the “hot” setting to keep it at 120 degrees. However, you can later increase it to 130 degrees, 140 degrees, or 150 degrees, depending on where you live.
- In the case of an electric water heater, you will have to unscrew the access panel to discover the temperature knob. From here, remove the insulation, adjust the desired temperature and replace the insulation.
When to Call a Professional:
If you are unsure how to set the temperature and want to be in a safer zone to avoid heating the tank, call a hot water system repair service directly.
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Insulate Your Tank:
Consider insulating your water heater tank to conserve energy and maintain water temperature. Insulation reduces heat loss, preventing the unit from working harder than necessary to keep water hot. This is particularly beneficial in colder climates, where heat loss can be more pronounced.
- Turn off the power supply as a usual practice.
- Take the insulation blanket. Wrap it around the water heater, leaving the access panel on the sides. Secure the blanket with tape to prevent heat loss.
- Now, use a marker to outline places of access panels, pressure release valves, or pipes and cut the blanket off these areas.
- Turn on the power supply, and you are ready to go.
When to Call a Professional:
Any type of water heater, whether six months or six years old, leaves out signs that imply the water heater’s health. Look for a plumber in Point Cook if you notice these signs.
- No hot water or water warming up too slowly.
- Leaking tank unit.
- Significant heat loss in the tank takes up too much gas or electricity to heat small water quantities.
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Anode Rod Replacement:
The anode rod inside your water heater is designed to attract corrosive elements, protecting the tank from rust and corrosion. To keep the water heater in the best form, follow the below instructions:
- Shut off the power switch and cold water supply.
- Unscrew the anode rod at the top to check how much of the rust is inside it.
- Regularly inspect the anode rod and replace it if more than six inches of the core wire is exposed to rust particles. This simple step can significantly extend the life of your water heater.
When to Call A Professional:
Following preventive measures will likely control all the severe issues of overheating, leaking, or hot water systems not working correctly. Consider calling out a hot water system repair company for the best advice.
Takeaway
Regular care and timely maintenance are crucial to maximizing the lifespan of your water heater. Following these tips and staying vigilant for signs of potential issues can ensure a reliable and efficient hot water supply in your home for years. Don’t wait for a breakdown—invest in the longevity of your water heater today. Book an appointment with a hot water system repair technician like NLK Plumbing for better service.
