Water heaters are essential parts of modern life. They provide hot water for multiple household chores and routine tasks, from getting a warm shower in the early morning to heading to work to wash delicate clothes that require hot water. Despite this, many homeowners underestimate the importance of regular water heater maintenance and postpone it until it’s too late and they need a water heater replacement.

Water heaters usually last between 6 and 12 years, with some tankless units lasting up to 20 years with proper care. However, they can fail sooner than intended due to lack of maintenance. Hence, if you don’t want to stress looking for a plumber because you no longer have hot water running and spend on a premature water heater system replacement, schedule professional maintenance at least annually.

4 essential tasks to perform on water heater maintenance

Regular maintenance is crucial to keeping your heater running efficiently, preserving its lifetime, and avoiding an emergency water heater replacement. Still, it’s recommended that only licensed plumbers do it. Cleaning and inspecting a water heater requires specific safety measures to prevent burning hot water and inhaling harmful gases. Likewise, licensed plumbers will remember to turn off the heater before starting and will know how to drain it safely.

Flush the water heater.

Usually, the first step in water heater maintenance is to drain and flush the tank if you have a traditional water heater. Besides, if your heater is gas-powered, they’ll also need to turn off the gas source to prevent incidents and health issues related to gas inhalation.

After turning off the heater and the gas or power source, your plumber will connect a regular garden hose to the drain outlet, usually near the base of the tank. The other hose’s hole will be placed into a floor drain or a large bucket, and the tank will begin draining. Depending on your model, draining usually takes 20 – 45 minutes.

If you have a tankless unit, the process is similar, with the addition that your plumber will need to relieve the inside pressure before connecting the hose to the hosing line to let cold and hot valves discharge throughout the line.

Next, they should clean any sediment build-up to prevent premature water heater replacement due to clogged heaters and water lines. Plumbers usually do this by stirring a bit of cold water or a cleaning solution inside the heater and continue flushing until the water runs clean.

Inspect and replace the anode rod.

The anode rod is a crucial component in tank water heaters. It attracts corrosive elements in your water and prevents them from rusting the heater itself. Hence, it requires replacement every once in a while. Neglecting the anode rod replacement can deteriorate your heater sooner and lead you to search for a hot water heater system replacement.

To determine whether the anode rod needs replacement, your plumber will unscrew it and check its thickness, ensuring it is thicker than ½ inches or covered with calcium. If the anode rod is thinner than the recommended measure or coated in calcium, they will need to install a new one.

Test the temperature and pressure relief valve (TPR)

The TPR valve is critical to ensure your water heater’s safety. It releases pressure from the tank if it becomes too high, preventing explosions, injuries, and an emergency water heater replacement.

To ensure it’s working well, plumbers first disconnect the discharge pipe and place a bucket to collect any remaining water. Then, they lift the valve’s tab to release water and check if the water flows and stops after closing the valve. If this happens, your valve will function properly, but if water does not flow after lifting it or doesn’t stop when it is closed, you’ll need a replacement valve.

Adjust the water temperature.

Adjusting the temperature setting is crucial to any water heater maintenance, even if it seems minor. According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% in energy costs for every 10 degrees you lower in your water heater.

Hence, if you have a gas water heater, your plumber can easily adjust the temperature settings using the thermostat on the tank. If your heater is electric, they will first need to cut off the power to the unit before adjusting the thermostat. After changing the temperature, you’ll likely have to wait an hour to check the temperature of your running water.

Likewise, if energy waste is a concern of yours, you can discuss with your plumber a water heater replacement for newer, more energy-efficient models such as tankless or energy-star water heaters.

Keep your heater in top condition with Swiftline’s water heater maintenance.

Swiftline Plumbing is your best choice if you want to avoid premature and costly water heater system replacement. Serving Jupiter and the rest of the Treasure Coast, our expert professionals are ready to inspect and maintain your water heater, ensuring it is in optimal condition and preserving your peace of mind.

Call us today at (772) 359-0005 or contact us to schedule your inspection online!