As the leaves turn and temperatures drop, it’s a clear sign that fall is here, and winter is just around the corner. That makes now the ideal time to focus on essential maintenance tasks for your water heater to ensure it's ready for the season ahead. Proper water heater care can help prevent breakdowns, improve efficiency, and give you peace of mind knowing your system will keep you warm through the colder months.
Here’s a guide from Dan’s Plumbing on preparing your water heater for a season’s worth of heavy use:
1. Flush Your Water Heater Tank
Over time, minerals and sediment can accumulate at the bottom of your water heater, which can lead to clogs, reduced efficiency, and even malfunctions. Flushing your tank is a simple yet crucial step to remove this buildup and keep your system running smoothly. Here’s how:
- Turn off the gas or electric power supply to your water heater.
- Open a hot faucet elsewhere in the house and let it run for a few minutes.
- Turn off the faucet, then shut off the cold water supply valve on your water heater.
- Attach a garden hose to the drain valve and run it to a nearby drain.
- Drain the tank completely to flush out sediment, then close the drain valve, remove the hose, and turn the water supply back on.
Doing this annually will help extend the life of your water heater and ensure it operates efficiently.
2. Inspect the Anode Rod
The anode rod in your water heater attracts corrosive minerals, which protects the tank from rust and corrosion. Over time, this rod wears down and should be inspected and replaced if it looks heavily corroded or diminished in size. A worn-out anode rod won’t be able to protect your tank, so replacing it is a small investment that can prevent costly repairs down the road.
3. Insulate the Tank and Pipes
Insulating your water heater and any exposed pipes can help reduce energy consumption, especially as the weather cools. Insulation helps retain heat in the tank, meaning your system won’t need to work as hard to keep water hot. You can purchase inexpensive insulation jackets for your tank and pre-cut pipe insulation at your local hardware store. This small step can make a noticeable difference in your energy bills.
4. Adjust the Temperature
If you’ve noticed that your water heater struggles to keep up during winter, adjusting the temperature slightly may help. Increasing the temperature by just 5-10 degrees can make a big difference in water heating performance, but avoid setting it too high (ideally no more than 120°F) to prevent scalding and energy waste.
5. Check the Pressure Relief Valve
The pressure relief valve is a safety feature that allows excess pressure to escape from the tank. Over time, this valve can become stuck or clogged, which can lead to dangerous pressure buildup. To test it:
- Lift and lower the lever attached to the valve.
- Watch to see if the attached brass stem moves and if water flows out of the drainpipe. If water flows out smoothly, your valve is functioning as it should.
If you don’t notice any water or the valve doesn’t seem to be working, it’s best to have it replaced to ensure your water heater operates safely.
Call Dan’s Plumbing for Professional Water Heater Maintenance
While many of these steps are manageable DIY tasks, some maintenance may require a professional touch. If you have any concerns or questions about your water heater’s performance, or if you’d like assistance with these maintenance tasks, the experts at Dan’s Plumbing are here to help. With professional inspection and maintenance, you can ensure your water heater is ready for the colder months and avoid unexpected problems.
Prepare your water heater now, and enjoy reliable, efficient heating all winter long with help from Dan’s Plumbing!
