Essential Water Heater Maintenance Tips for Prolonging Lifespan

Check for leaks

Over time, your hot water system can rust or corrode, leading to leaks around the connections and valves. But, by inspecting your system regularly, you’ll be able to catch these leaks early so you can hopefully repair the issue rather than replacing the whole tank. 

Check for water pooling around the base of the tank or running along pipes and connections and around the pressure relief valve. Depending on the location and severity of the leak you may be able to stop it by tightening the connections, repairing or replacing faulty components, or if it’s too far gone it may need to be replaced.

Inspect the anode rod

The anode rod or sacrificial anode plays an important role in protecting your hot water system. It, as the name suggests, sacrifices itself to protect the tank and parts from corrosion. It is designed to attract harsh elements and minerals in the water to itself, so it corrodes rather than the whole tank. 

But as it corrodes, it becomes less effective. If it gets eaten away to nothing, your tank will be left unprotected. So, it’s important to check it regularly and replace it as soon as it starts to look too corroded. 

Test the pressure relief valve

The next thing to check is the pressure relief valve. This valve is an important safety feature that prevents excessive pressure buildup inside the tank. This protects the connections, pipes and tank from strain. 

To test this valve you can simply lift the lever on the top of the valve. This will let out a rush of air and some water. If it doesn’t release any water then it is likely damaged and will need to be replaced promptly to ensure continued safety and proper functionality.

Flush the tank

Our water is full of natural (and some added) sediment, minerals and debris. This can settle on the bottom of your tank over time creating a layer that reduces the efficiency and performance of the heating element as well as negatively impacts water quality.

You can flush this sediment out by cleaning your tank. Start by switching off the power or gas supply, for your safety, and then connect a hose to the drain valve. Place the other end of the hose in a suitable position, away from your house, such as in a garden or near a stormwater drain. Then, you can open the valve and allow the tank to empty. Finally, you can close the valve and refill the tank before restoring the power or gas supply.

Professional hot water service

While these regular DIY maintenance tasks will help you protect and maintain your water heater, it is still important to get a professional opinion. Professional hot water services can address more complex issues or complete maintenance quickly and effectively to ensure your hot water system is working properly.

At Essendon Plumbing Services, we’ve seen more than our fair share of water heaters and repaired every part and replaced every type. So, you can rest assured that we can identify and address any potential problems safely and efficiently so you’ll never have to struggle through an unwanted cold shower.

We can inspect your tank and if we notice any issues we will complete the necessary repairs or replacements on the spot to ensure your water heater doesn’t spring a leak or scald you. We will also be able to recommend any adjustments or replacements that will make it perform more efficiently to save you money on electricity and water bills and avoid breakdowns and premature replacement.

Complete Regular Maintenance to Extend Your Water Heater’s Life

By implementing these water heater maintenance strategies, you can keep your hot water system functioning at a higher level for longer. Just give your water heater the TLC it deserves and you’ll never have to stress about cold showers again. 

And remember our team of professional hot water system technicians at Essendon Plumbing Services are ready to help–any time of the day or night–if you notice any issues.