Important Maintenance Tips for Your Water Heater
There are few things more unpleasant than stepping into a shower and being hit with icy cold water. Fortunately, our water heaters are here to save the day. We rely on water heaters to help us get through a number of daily activities; from showering early in the morning to washing up the dishes at night. But since the water heater isn’t always in sight, it tends to slip out of mind.
Like everything else, your water heater, too, requires regular inspection and preventative maintenance to function properly. If it’s not getting the maintenance it deserves, you’ll soon have a malfunctioning water heater at your hand.
Read on for a few tips that can help you give your water heater the attention it deserves.
Know The Type of Heater You Have
If your new home has a water heater already installed, make sure you know what type it is. It could either be an electric or a gas-operated heater. Find out whether it’s old or new and what its gallon capacity is.
Position It Correctly
When installing a water heater, make sure there’s always a two-foot clearance around it and nothing’s placed too close. This will leave plenty of service space around the water heater and it will also reduce the chances of it colliding with something else. Make sure your water heater is not tucked away in a difficult to reach location.
Check the Pressure Valve
Whether you have a gas-powered water heater or an electric water heater installed in your home, there will likely be a safety device installed on it, known as a temperature and pressure relief valve. Always make sure this valve is operating properly, otherwise, too much pressure can build up to an explosion.
Lower Its Temperature 
Lowering the temperature of your water heater has many benefits:
- You reduce the risk of scalding
- You reduce additional energy costs
- Increased heat can wear down the water heater faster
You can consult with a plumber during regular inspections to determine which thermostat would be the ideal temperature for your water heater.
Replace the Anode Rod
The anode rod inside the water heater protects the parts with exposed steel during electrolysis. Since the rod helps prevent rust, it can end up accumulating calcium carbonate itself. It’s important to have it replaced as soon as it starts accumulating these deposits.
Flushing the Water Heater Tank
The more your water heater ages and the more it’s used, the more sediment will build up at the bottom of the tank. This not only reduces the water heater’s efficiency but also clogs up the lines. This is why it’s important to flush your water heater tank every few months.
If you don’t want to tackle the water heater issues yourself, our licensed plumbers at Pro Serve Plumbers can help you out. Our plumbing services in Fort Worth, TX offer emergency water heater repair services.
Call us now at 817-244-0614!
