HOW TO MAINTAIN A WATER HEATER

Your water heater is one of the most important parts of your home. It is the power behind hot showers, fresh laundry and clean dishes, so there would be some big issues if it were ever to break down. The average water heater lifespan is about 11 years, but without proper maintenance it might not make it that long. Here's what you can do to keep it ticking for at least 11 years:

1) CHECK THE TEMPERATURE

Pay close attention to the thermostat on your water heater. Some manufacturers set the temperature to 140 degrees Fahrenheit by default, which is hotter than most households really need. Elevated temperatures can cause scalding, as well as accelerated mineral buildup and corrosion in the pipes. A recommended setting for water heater maintenance is 120 F, which prevents tank damage and helps you save big on losses of standby and demand heat.

2) DRAIN THE TANK REGULARLY

A few times each year, it is a good idea to flush out about one-quarter of the tank in your water heater. You can do this easily by turning off the cold water supply, hooking up a garden hose to the drain valve and then running the water until it looks clear. Draining will help clear away sediment and preserve the heating efficiency of the water heater.

Just like changing the anode rod, be sure to consult your water heater manufacturer’s guide before beginning to flush your water heater or conducting any maintenance. Remember, hot water poses a risk for injury. If you aren’t confident that you can safely maintain your water heater on your own, call the expert plumbers at Roto-Rooter. We’re always nearby to help you out with basic plumbing maintenance as well as emergency situations.

As your water heater is used, dirt and sediment collect at the bottom. Over time, this can cause rust damage and other problems. It’s recommended that you drain your water heater once a year. Luckily, this is a fairly simple DIY process. Remember, you’re dealing with very hot water. Make sure to read all warnings and instructions on your water heater, and wearing gloves and safety goggles is recommended.

First, determine whether or not your unit is powered by gas or electricity. This should be well marked on your heater. Click here for more information.

Turn off the gas or shut off the electricity to the water heater. Then make sure to turn off the water supply to the unit.

Next, find the drain valve and connect a hose. Any garden hose is fine. The other end of the hose should be located in an area that is safe for contact with hot water.

Making sure the pressure relief valve is open, open the drain valve and allow the dirty water to drain out to a nearby drain. This can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the water heater and how much sediment has accumulated. Once this process is complete, close both the relief valve and the drain valve.

Turn on the water supply. Keep the gas or electricity off as the unit begins to refill so as not to cause damage to the water heater. Once the tank is full again, turn the power back on to the unit. Now you’re all set to enjoy hot water!

Note: Draining your water heater once a year is just a suggestion. If your area has more sediment in the water, you may want to drain your water heater more often.

3) TEST THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE

A working pressure relief valve should release a burst of hot water into the drainpipe after you raise and then lower the test lever. Do this regularly to check the pressure and to clear out debris. If the valve is not letting out a big burst each time, call a professional plumber to get a new one installed.

Water heaters are complex contraptions that require regular attention and maintenance. If you run into a problem you can't solve yourself, be sure to call a professional plumbing services company to take care of it.

WATER HEATER GENERAL MAINTENANCE

A few times a year, go into the utility room where your water heater is located. Check around the base of the heater, especially around the burner, and remove any dirt, debris, or stray items like misplaced laundry or toys from that area. If there are any flammable items near your water heater, move them to a safer location such as in a safety cabinet in your garage.

Check the top vents of your water heater. Clean any dirt and dust from this location. Make sure there are no obstructions to the free-flow of air around the vents. If your water heater is not secured to the wall or another sturdy structure, visit your local hardware store for metal strapping to secure the water heater. In the event of a natural disaster, your heater could tip over and injure someone or burst, thus causing a flood.

You’ll also want to look at the water heater’s insulated covering and ensure it isn’t damaged. If your water heater isn’t insulated, you can increase its energy efficiency by purchasing and installing insulation.

If you have an older water heater, adding some insulation to the fixture and the pipes surrounding it can also provide a couple of benefits. First, insulating your heater will help you save some money - you won't be expending as much energy to reheat the water and keep it warm. Second, because it won't go through as many drastic temperature changes, your fixture may stay in better shape for longer.

UTILIZE THE VACATION SETTING

Water heater’s enjoy vacations too. Many water heaters have a vacation setting - if yours does, utilize it whenever you'll be away from your home for more than a couple of days. This will save you money and keep your machine in a low-energy mode until you're ready to use it again.

If you suspect something is wrong with your water heater, don't wait until the annual service you scheduled - call Roto-Rooter to have a plumber inspect the fixture right away. Hot water is crucial for daily living, so your Roto-Rooter professional will be happy to fix the issue immediately.

HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR TANKLESS WATER HEATER

Tankless water heaters are one way homeowners can save energy.

Instead of heating tanks of water in batches, a tankless water heater, or on-demand water heater, warms up water as it's needed. Depending on how many gallons of hot water your home uses per day, a tankless water heater can be 20 to 30 percent more efficient than a normal hot water heater.

Like any other new piece of equipment in your household, it's important that you understand how to best take care of it. Neglecting basic maintenance won't allow your tankless water heater to operate at its full potential, and won't allow you to achieve the energy savings you likely were looking forward to when you chose it.

FLUSH TO REMOVE HARD WATER DEPOSITS

Your tankless water heater should be flushed at least annually. This is to remove mineral deposits, such as calcium. If you've had hard water problems in your home, you might consider flushing out your heater more than once per year to counter mineral deposits.

To flush your heater, first you must check your owner's manual to see if your unit needs to have the power shut off. If your heater is electric, turn off the power from the breaker panel, and if it's gas, rotate the gas cutoff until fuel is no longer going to the heater.

Next you will want to turn off the water supply bringing cold water to the heater, as well as the valve sending hot water out.

Fasten a six-foot garden hose to a sump pump, and the other end to the cold-water valve. A second garden hose will have to be connected to the hot-water valve, with the opposite end submerged in a five-gallon bucket of distilled white vinegar. Place the pump line in the bucket as well.

Use the pump to circulate the vinegar through the heater. The vinegar will break down mineral deposits and buildup. Let the pump run for about 1.5 hours. Then replace the vinegar with cold water. Use this to rinse out your heater.

Once the heater is clean, you'll have to clean the inlet filter screen. To do this, simply rinse it and take away any sediment stuck to it.

Once the screen is clean and the heater is all flushed out and rinsed, you can replace everything back to working order. Test the faucets throughout your home to make sure there isn't any air trapped in them. Let the water run for a few minutes to remove any air pockets.

Again, refer to your owner’s manual for some procedures may vary.

If you have problems with your tankless water heater, you may want to call in the experts. Contact your local Roto-Rooter to make sure everything is in working order.

PREVENTING CORROSION AND LEAKS

Corrosive damage inside of water heaters is the number one reason that most systems break down. In order to minimize corrosion, it’s important to address other aspects of your plumbing system that directly affect the performance of the water heater.

For example, the water softener is responsible for supplying soft water throughout the entire home plumbing system. If, for some reason, the softener stops functioning correctly, your water heater can be overwhelmed by gallons of hard water that leaves behind streaks, calcium buildup, and other gunk. This buildup will eventually cause corrosion and leaking, forcing you to invest in a replacement water heater or face an expensive repair job.

Inside of the water heater, a component called the anode rod is designed to help minimize the corrosiveness of water. It works by “attracting” corrosive particles in water, similar to how a magnet attracts metal. Replacing the anode rod is a crucial part of ongoing water heater maintenance every two to three years. To switch out an anode rod correctly, make sure to consult the proper documentation, such as the manufacturer's guide, and follow the instructions closely to avoid injury or water heater damage

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO INSPECT MY WATER HEATER?

Inspection is vital to water heater maintenance and a relatively quick and easy process, as long as you know what to look for.

Gas water heaters require more maintenance than electric units. If you have a gas heater, first you should check the unit and the pipes for any rusted or blackened areas. These could be caused by leaks or improper combustion.

Unless you’re an expert, these aren’t problems you can solve yourself, so you should call for assistance if you find any corrosion or evidence of combustion troubles during your water heater inspection. Do the same for all piping connected to the heater. Check thoroughly for signs of corrosion; a few minutes now are all it takes to prevent a dangerous malfunction.

If you have a gas-powered water heater, you should check for leaks with a gas leak detector. You can buy one of these at a hardware store or order one online. They’re fairly inexpensive and worth the investment in the long run. Furthermore, make sure to check the gas valve by turning it slightly, but not too much, as this will turn off the pilot light. Make sure that the draft hood is centered and not crooked or loose. You should also check the burner, pilot light and flame color every six months or so if you have a gas water heater.

Whether or not you have a gas or electric heater, every so often you should make sure your heater’s thermostat is working. You can make sure the hot and cold water pipes are working: just touching the pipes should be sufficient. Check and test the temperature/pressure relief valve once a year for leaks or signs that it has discharged water.

Finally, make sure you check the anode rod every two years, replacing when necessary. For the most thorough inspection, you can also drain a gallon of water from your tank every month to remove silt and sediment.

Not the DIY type? No problem. Your neighborhood Roto-Rooter plumbers are available to lend a hand. We don’t just tackle plumbing emergencies—we’ll help you out with regular maintenance too, from installing a new water heater to flushing and optimizing your existing system.