Water heaters require regular maintenance to ensure they are running at optimal performance. Proper care can make your water heater efficient, uncorroded, and safe. This article outlines the essential steps to ensure your water heater is functioning as it should. Having a reliable hot water supply is vital for everyday life. Here are ways to ensure your water heater runs at total capacity and to prevent unnecessary repairs.
Cleaning and Flushing
Ensure you clean and flush the water heater at least once or twice a year. Mainly remove sediment from the flue, walls, and floor. Flushing also helps eliminate scale or mineral buildup from inside the tank. It’s an efficient way to clean hard-to-reach areas. If you don’t have the proper knowledge or tools to clean your water heater, you can always hire a professional to do it for you.
Checking the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve
This is an important maintenance step. Checking your water heater’s temperature and pressure relief valve can help prevent a dangerous tank failure. The T&P relief valve releases built-up pressure and heat to ensure a safe heating process. Lack of an adequate T&P relief valve can cause boilers to crack and water leaks. Additionally, a poorly maintained pressure relief valve can cause damage to your tank.
Replacing Anode Rods
Anode rods have protective properties that help prevent corrosion in water heaters. Harsh chemicals like chlorine, bleach, and acid can cause corrosion. The anode rod inside your water heater forms a protective layer on the bottom of the tank. Replacement is highly recommended every five years or so. However, a professional plumber will be able to assess your water heater and recommend whether or not replacement is required.
Insulating Hot Water Pipes
A significant cause of water heater failure results from frozen pipes. Frozen pipes can crack and cause your water heater to fail in a short amount of time. Combining proper insulation with properly installed hot water pipes will lessen the chance of frozen pipes. Proper insulation will help prevent heat loss and increase the chances of intense heat, which can help prevent frozen pipes.
Regular Maintenance
Regular maintenance is essential to ensure your water heater functions as it should. Using a plumber or professional to maintain your heater will help you avoid costly repairs and save you money in the long run. A plumber will also be able to visually inspect your tank, including the T&P relief valve, walls, floor, and flue.
Inspection
A professional plumber can inspect your water heater and remove sediment, scale, and debris. It would be best to inspect the sieve filters on the top of the tank. These filters catch sediment before they can damage your water heater. Plumbing inspections are vital in identifying problems early and preventing costly repairs.
There are many ways you can avoid unnecessary repairs. Following these tips and ensuring your water heater is cleaned and the pressure relief valve is functioning correctly will help ensure your water heater runs at optimal performance. Contact the Drain Surgeon for fast and reliable service if you need water heater repair in Augusta, GA.
