Water Heater Health: 5 Maintenance Tips for Fall & Winter

Fall is an amazing time that marks the beginning of the holiday season, but it also means it’s time for fall and winter maintenance around the house.

And one appliance that you shouldn’t ignore this year (or any year) is your water heater, which needs regular upkeep. Here are five maintenance tips for this season to keep your water heater in good health.

Condition Reports

Tip 1: Check the anode rod. If you haven't checked the anode rod lately, there is no better time than now. Unscrew the rod and check it for corrosion: if there is new and shiny metal still left on it, the rod doesn’t need to be replaced. But if the rod is fully corroded, you need to get a new one so that it can continue doing its job.

Tip 2: Test the TPR valve. This should actually be on your monthly to-do list because this safety mechanism is extremely important to the safety of your family and home. Test the valve by flicking up the metal lever on the discharge pipe, and wait for water to come pouring out. If there's no water, then there's a problem, and the temperature and pressure relief valve needs to be replaced.

Maintenance

Tip 3: Flush the tank. Flushing the tank is something you should be doing annually, though some recommend twice a year. The reason for this is because sediment quickly builds up in the bottom of your tank, and this can corrode the metal, and allow bacteria to grow in your water.

Basic steps: When you flush the tank, shut off the water and the power, open the TPR valve, and empty the water through the drain valve in the bottom. Flush the tank to get the leftover sediment, and then fill the tank with new water before turning everything back on.

Adjustments

Tip 4: Tune the temperature. One of the main reasons you need to keep an eye on the temperature of your water heater is because of bacteria. Most experts agree that your water heater should be maintained around 140 F, because this is the best temperature for killing bacteria. Any higher and you risk burning skin, but any lower and you risk bacterial growth.

Basic steps: On a gas water heater, all you have to do is adjust the dial on the outside. On an electric heater, remove the panel, remove the insulation, and then remove the plastic cover before turning the thermostat screw.

Tip 5: Insulate the unit. Insulating the unit will help you save money through reduced energy loss. Insulate the pipes with insulating sleeves and the tank with a blanket or jacket. Cut the sleeves to length and the blanket to height, and make sure you cut access holes for controls and panels.

The health of your water heater depends largely on regular maintenance. If you find these steps are too much for you to manage, the plumbing and water heater experts at Bud's Plumbing & Repair Service, in Evansville, IN are more than happy to help. Call us at 812-618-9638 to schedule a technician visit, and get your water heater ready for the fall, winter, and upcoming holiday season.