Maintenance Tips for Water Heaters

Your water heater provides you with the hot water you need for many of the daily activities you do like washing dishes, bathing, and doing laundry. To ensure that your water heater provides you with a reliable source of hot water for years to come, you need to perform maintenance. By following the maintenance tips below, you can ensure that your water heater performs its best, in an energy-efficient manner, and prolongs its lifespan.

• Check the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve: Your water heater produces high levels of pressure and hot temperatures to generate the hot water you need for your daily living activities. The temperature and pressure relief valve is an important safety measure on your water heater that helps reduce the risk of pressure levels and the temperature from reaching dangerous levels. You need to routinely inspect the valve for any signs of leaks or corrosion and test it to ensure it is working properly. To test it, you simply need to lift the lever and allow some water to discharge. If water isn’t discharged or water continues to leak out after the test, it may need to be replaced.

• Flush the Tank Annually: Sediment and minerals tend to accumulate in the bottom of the tank, reducing its energy efficiency and potentially causing damage. It is recommended that you flush out your tank annually. To do this you must shut off the power supply and gas valve to the water heater. Then attach a hose to the tank to drain the water inside. Doing this will help clear the sediment and mineral buildup and improve its overall performance.

• Inspect the Anode Rod: The anode rod is a sacrificial component that helps prevent corrosion inside the water heater tank. Over time, by design, the anode rod can become depleted and need to be replaced. Inspect it annually by removing it from the tank and placing it back in after the inspection. If it is heavily corroded or has less than 6 inches of core wire left, it is time for a new anode rod.

• Check for Leaks and Insulate Pipes: Inspect your water heater and surrounding pipes for signs of leaks. If you find a leak, get it repaired quickly because even small leaks can lead to significant water damage. Additionally, insulate your pipes to minimize heat loss.

Contact Us Today for Water Heater Repair Services!

At Rainbow Plumbing, we offer water heater repair services to the Midland, TX area. We understand the importance of having a reliable source of hot water in your home. It is needed for a variety of daily living tasks and plays a vital role in your comfort at home. To keep your water heater performing its best, it needs routine maintenance. Our local plumbers are here to help you with the maintenance and repair of your water heater. Contact us today to schedule your water heater repair service!