Whether you are a fan of cold showers or high heats, a reliable hot water heater should always be a top priority for homeowners across British Columbia. Access to hot water is the key to keeping your home or workplace clean, inviting and livable. In fact, these appliances are essential to maintaining hygiene and cleanliness. By making hot water heater maintenance a priority, you can avoid the high costs of elevated utility bills, premature repairs or replacements and water damage caused by leaks.
The fallout of a faulty or damaged water heater can be a major headache but the experts at Pete & Son Plumbing are here to help! We’ve created a water heater maintenance checklist complete with tips on reducing costs and prolonging the lifespan of your appliance.
Tips From the Experts: How to Save Money With Regular Maintenance
When a water heater tank starts to fail it will do more than drop your water temperature. Over time a tank or the adjoining systems will start to wear down. This will often cause leaks and other issues. The best way to protect your system is with routine processes, including:
General Inspections: For an older water heater, experts recommend scheduled routine inspections on a quarterly basis. Call a professional for these inspections. Experts will assess the condition of your appliance looking for leaks in pipes and will check the bottom of the tank for any signs of water loss. Other common issues include loose connections, damaged gaskets, loose fittings and more. Professional plumbers are also able to identify the signs of corrosion, both on the heater itself and in connected pipes.
Flushing the Tank: With any water heater there is always a possibility that sediment will begin to form inside the tank or lines. Flushing the tank once or twice annually will eliminate sediment buildup that is forming inside your system. This simple step will prolong the lifespan of your water heater for years.
Inspect the Anode Rod: The anode is a seemingly simple feature but they are incredibly important to your system. This rod sits inside the water tank with the goal of preventing corrosion. A water heater can last for more than a decade but these rods should be replaced every 3-5 years. If you live in an area that is subject to higher rates of corrosion it is a good idea to have these features inspected regularly and potentially replaced more often.
Test the Temperature & Pressure (T&P) Valve: These valves regulate pressure within the tank and prevents over-pressurization. If this valve begins to malfunction it will cause issues with performance of the water tank and can even cause the tank to explode — but that is only in extreme cases! Have an expert confirm that the valve opens and operates as it should and replace it as necessary to avoid a worst-case scenario.
Inspect Ventilation Systems: Older homes will sometimes have outdated gas heaters. If this is the case in your home keeping vents clear and functional should always be a top priority. Whenever you are dealing with a gas water heater, a blocked or damaged vent is a serious risk to indoor air quality as well as the health and safety of anyone inside. Because there is so much riding on your ventilation systems it is important to have them assessed by a professional who is trained in identifying damage. Experts will also ensure that vent connectors are properly sealed to avoid any leakage.
Check Thermostat Settings: More often than not hot water heaters should be set between 48 and 60 degrees. You can set them higher than this but it will cause a significant drain on your energy usage. The lower you keep the temperature setting, the higher your energy savings will be. Balancing a thermostat can be tricky but the experts at Pete & Son Plumbing are here to help you out! Keeping water temperature too low leaves your system susceptible to bacterial growth while keeping it too high can result in scalding showers.
Insulate Hot Water Heaters & Pipes: All it takes is one trip to the hardware store to find a ton of options for insulating your water heater. Water heater blankets are inexpensive and easy to manage but they will make a massive difference to the output of your heater. Even a bit of insulation will help to save on energy bills by reducing heat loss through the tank. The majority of homes will store hot water heaters in basements, crawlspaces or attics. If this is the case in your home, the tank itself is exposed to cold or drafts throughout the year. Keeping it insulated means less heat escaping and your utility bill doesn’t skyrocket during the fall and winter seasons.
Lower Temperature Settings During Vacations: New models of water heaters will have a “vacation mode” feature, particularly with an electric water heater. There’s no need to maintain high temperatures if there is no one at home using them. Switching over to this vacation mode will reduce the impact on your utility bill, keep costs down and give your water heater a break while you are away.
Pete & Son Plumbing: Water Heater Maintenance That You Can Count On
The best way to avoid high costs associated with your water heater is to have it regularly maintained by an expert and repaired by a certified plumber whenever necessary. Even with regular maintenance water heaters might start to show signs of struggle as they get older. The best way to manage a water heater is with a proactive approach where you stay ahead of regular wear and tear with a regular maintenance routine.
