You may not think about it that often, but your water heater has to put up with a lot of demand on a regular basis. Don’t believe us? Think about how many times a day you use hot water for things like washing dishes or taking a shower. Now multiply that by 365, and you’ll quickly realize how much strain the average water heater is put under. The system is designed to cope with that level of demand, of course, but it can’t do it for long without help.
Read on to find out more about how to keep your water heater in good operating condition as long as possible.
Water Heater Preventive Maintenance
Most of the issues that are likely to afflict your water heater aren’t going to give off any recognizable symptoms early on. You are more likely to notice that your water heater is experiencing issues after it’s been struggling for a while, as the damage to the system begins to cause it to fail in various ways.
The best way to protect your water heater from damage is to locate and resolve any issues with it as early as possible before they have had a chance to progress and damage the system. That means scheduling preventive maintenance.
You should schedule maintenance for your water heater at least once a year. At what time during the year you schedule it doesn’t matter so much since the system doesn’t have seasons of increased strain in the way air conditioners or heaters do. What is important is that you schedule the maintenance consistently from year to year.
Preventive maintenance gives your technician the ability to locate and fix issues as early as possible. This both increases the efficiency of your water heater and prevents it from developing issues nearly as often. You can save potentially thousands of dollars in repair costs over the life of your water heater by engaging in consistent preventive maintenance.
Water Heater Maintenance Checklist
There are a few maintenance tips you can try yourself to keep your water heater system running in peak condition. If you don’t know where to start, don’t worry—we have a water heater maintenance checklist you can follow.
First thing’s first, you should set your water heater at a temperature no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The higher the temperature, the more you risk sediment buildup and scalding temperatures.
Perform an Inspection
After you’ve checked the water heater’s temperature, perform a visual inspection. You should check for potential leaks around the tank or water dripping from pipes. Most leaky pipes can be fixed by tightening loose screws, bolts, and connections.
However, a leaking tank is likely due to corrosion or rust, which means the tank needs to be replaced. It’s essential to include an inspection on your water heater maintenance checklist to avoid costly water damage to your home. If you suspect problems with the water heater tank, schedule a water heater repair.
Flush the Tank
The next step on your water heater maintenance checklist should be to flush the tank. Over time, sediment can build up in the bottom of the tank, negatively affecting the water heater’s performance and efficiency.
Although flushing a water heater can be performed by experienced DIY homeowners, we always recommend leaving it to the professionals. Environment Masters is happy to provide you with a hassle-free experience and make sure your water heater is in top shape.
Call For Repairs if You Feel You Have To
You can relax a little now that you know how to maintain a water heater. Of course, preventive maintenance is a great way to limit the likelihood of issues occurring with your water heater, but it isn’t 100% reliable. It’s practically certain that if you have your water heater for long enough, you will eventually have a problem that needs to be professionally repaired.
There are a lot of different symptoms that can indicate a need for professional water heater repairs. Chronically low output is a major sign that the system is malfunctioning in some way. So are odd noises coming from the system.
Of course, you should immediately call for repairs if you notice any water leaking from the water heater. If you suspect that there is a problem with your water heater, even if you aren’t entirely sure what that problem is, it’s best to contact a professional to schedule a repair appointment as soon as possible. Environment Master is here to help with tank and tankless water heater repair services.
Environment Masters, Inc. provides hassle-free water heater repair and maintenance services in Jackson, MS, that fit your needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our expert technicians.
