How to Care for Your Water Heater

While you’ll want a plumber in Colorado Springs, CO to inspect your water heater if it’s malfunctioning in any way, there are some preventative steps you can take to maintain this important home appliance. Your home’s water heater fulfills an imperative function that ranges from cleaning dishes and clothes to making showers or baths comfortable for you and your family. The expected lifetime for a water heater is 15 years, but you can extend that by following these regular maintenance steps.

Safety First

Before you start caring for your water heater, make sure you have the necessary safety gear: a pair of thick work gloves and protective eyewear. Also, if you notice something amiss with your water heater and you’re not able to inspect it further, call a plumber in Colorado Springs, CO to come to look at the appliance as soon as possible.

Adjust the Thermostat

Every water heater has a thermostat. By setting the temperature to 120℉, you’ll save money on your energy costs. For every 10 degrees you lower your water heater’s thermostat, you could save up to 5 percent on your energy bill. Plus, 120℉ prevents scalding and the overheating of water in your home.

Make Room

With water heaters tucked away in basements, garages or utility closets, sometimes clutter gathers around them. You want a clearance of at least two feet around your water heater. Check your manual to see if your specific water heater needs more clearance space, though, as this does vary.

Flush It

A few times a year, you’ll want to remove sediment that has collected in your water heater. To do so, shut off the cold water supply, hook up a standard garden hose to the drain valve and let it drain into a bucket until the water is clear. If the water doesn’t clear up, open the water supply valve to stir up remaining debris, and then drain the tank again. Doing this also helps the unit operate much quieter than before.

Replace Anode Rod

Every three years, the anode rod needs to be replaced if it is less than half an inch thick, coated with calcium or more than six inches of the steel wire is exposed. A new rod costs less than $20, and you can buy it at any hardware store.

Test Valve

Annually, you’ll want to check the pressure relief valve to see if there are any leaks. Simply press it two or three times and note if the valve leaks at all. If so, this is a part you’ll want a professional to fix to avoid a potential buildup of pressure that could result in an explosion.

If you’re leaving home for a few days, set your water heater to “vacation” mode. This lowers your energy consumption while you’re not home.

If you have an older unit, invest in a fiberglass jacket for it and insulate the pipes connected to it. This greatly improves the heater’s efficiency.

In need of a plumber in Colorado Springs, CO to check on your water heater? Call Affordable Rooter today! We can assist with large projects as well as emergency situations.

Categorised in: Plumber

This post was written by Writer