The Importance of Water Heater Maintenance
Picture this – you think you’re hopping into a warm shower in the dead of winter, but instead, the water coming out is freezing!
Taking care of the home’s water heater is something that typically falls to the wayside by homeowners. That is until a homeowner is left dealing with cold, freezing water.
Do you know how important your water heater is to your everyday life?
Your water heater is needed every time you cook a meal, wash the dishes, use your washing machine, or take a shower.
Without proper maintenance on your water heater, it will become less efficient and have a shorter lifespan.
Similarly, if you’ve had a brand new water heater installed recently, do you know what you can do to prolong the life of it?
Maintaining Your Water Heater
Maintenance is necessary. Just as it’s important to maintain other systems in your home, such as a heater, sewer drain, or electrical panel, it’s essential to maintain your water heater.
The more you prolong the life of your water heater, the more money you will save and the fewer headaches you will suffer.
Luckily, some maintenance tasks only have to be performed a few times, whereas others should be done annually.
Let’s look at five essential water heater maintenance tips you should know.
Water Heater Maintenance Tips
1) Inspect Regularly
Regularly take some time to inspect and examine your water heater. Look for signs of wear and tear. It’s best to give your local plumber a call if you see wear and tear on your water heater.
Inspections can help you catch potential problems before they turn into bigger repairs or even replacements.
2) Flush Yearly
“It’s not going to flush itself, Jimmy!”
It’s important to drain your water heater annually. This allows you to clean out the interior of the tank and remove any buildup. Though this will not cause any significant damage, it will help prolong the life of your unit.
Just be sure to shut off the water heater’s water and power and let it cool before draining. You can then attach a hose to the water heater and drain the remainder of the tank.
3) Install Insulation
Insulating the water heater itself, as well as the connecting pipes, has many benefits.
An insulated water tank will prevent heat from escaping. This, in return, will lead to lower energy bills and less work your water heater will have to do to perform essential functions.
Insulated piping is critical during the winter. Insulation will prevent water from freezing in the pipes and avoid costly repairs or a burst pipe inside your home.
4) Lower the Temperature
When you take a hot shower, does it feel like you’re boiling lobsters? That’s because your water heater’s temperature is set too high.
As a rule, all uses for hot water in your home can be accomplished with a temperature of 120 degrees or lower. Water temperatures any hotter can result in burns.
Lowering your water heater’s temperature will also help reduce your overall energy bill. Saving money and saving skin!
5) Replace the Air Intake Filter
For those of you who have tankless water heaters, this maintenance tip is essential for you.
Tankless water heaters require general cleaning. They also use air intake filters.
Your tankless water heater will build up debris on the filter over time. A clean filter allows your unit to function correctly. Replacing the filter regularly will ensure your tankless water heater will continue to provide the necessary functions.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
One of the most important things you can do when you have a problem water heater is to call a skilled and experienced plumber.
The plumbers at Dream Team are your water heater experts.
So when you find yourself stuck with taking cold showers in the dead of winter, it’s time to call the experts.
Your water heater is essential to your everyday life. Without proper maintenance, it will become less efficient and have a shorter lifespan.
Be sure to follow these five essential water heater maintenance tips. Along with these tips, be sure to call our plumbers when you need water heater service.