If you are one of the many people who needs to maintain your water heater, you may have some enlightening questions to ask yourself, such as “how to maintain a water heater?” If so, you aren’t alone! There are many parts to a water heater that requires maintenance, so if you are not sure how to keep your water heater running and what steps to take, this article can help.
What is a Water Heater?
A water heater is a device that provides hot water on demand. It is used in homes and businesses to heat water for cooking, bathing, and other needs. Heaters come in different sizes and shapes and can be used with gas, electricity, or oil. Water heaters are usually located in the basement or attic of a home.
Depending on your home’s energy source, you may need to purchase a specific type of water heater. There are two types of water heaters: electric and gas. Electric water heaters use electricity to heat the water, and gas water heaters use natural gas or propane to heat the water.
Tips and Tricks on How to Maintain a Water Heater
You can do a few things to keep your water heater running smoothly and efficiently. Here are a few tips:
Test the temperature-pressure-release valve
1.Shut off the power.
2. Turn off the cold-water supply valve.
3. Put a bucket under the pipe connected to the TPR valve, which is usually located on the side or top of the tank. This valve releases pressure if the tank gets too hot.
4. Let the water out of the tank using the tab located on the valve. If water continues to flow after you release the tab, drain the tank partially and install a new valve.
Check the anode rod
1.Attach a hose to the tank’s drain valve and release a few gallons of water into a bucket or down a drain.
2. Unscrew the rod. If the rod is less than ½ inch, wrap the threads with Teflon tape, place the bottom of the rod in the water tank, and tighten securely. If headroom is limited, use a segmented rod.
Drain the tank and wash out sediment
1.Drain the remaining water left in the tank, then briefly rinse your tank by opening the cold-water supply valve and letting pipes drain. Keep repeating until you get clean water from the hose.
2. Close the drain valve, refill the tank, and restore power to the unit.
Adjust the temperature
1. Use the temperature dial to lower your energy bills and unscrew the cover. Set the dial at 120 degrees. Every 10 degrees you lower the temperature can save you 5% in energy costs.
2. If you’re going to be gone more than three days, turn off the water heater or set the thermostat as low as it goes.
Insulate the pipes
1. Buy some self-sticking 3/8-inch-thick foam pipe insulation that matches the pipes’ diameter.
2. Apply the insulation over the cold-water pipe. This will prevent condensation during summer.
3. Tape the insulation in place using the attached adhesive, working your way down the pipe. If the pipe is close to the flue, wrap it with a layer of fiberglass pipe-wrap.
Insulate the heater
1. Cut the insulating blanket to fit around the pipes, temperature control, and TPR valve.
2. Foil tape should cover cuts in the insulation on a tank to prevent leaks, but not the top of oil and gas heaters.
3. Place an oversize circle of insulation on the top of an electric heater, and secure it tightly to the side of the tank.
Need Help Maintaining Your Home’s Water Heater? Contact us Today!
If you have more questions on how to maintain a water heater, don’t hesitate to call Custom Plumbing of Arizona. Our experienced professionals are here to help, and we will get your system up and running as quickly as possible.
We also offer 24/7 emergency service which means you can be sure we’ll be able to take care of it. So give us a call today at 602-883-2761 to schedule a repair or checkup!
