Do Water Heaters Require Maintenance?
Many homeowners schedule regular maintenance for their air conditioning units and furnaces. However, you have another home system that also needs to be maintained to ensure its safety and efficiency: the water heater. Water heaters are an important part of your home. By taking care of a few essential tasks, you can make sure that the unit is operating at an optimal level.
Why Professional Maintenance Matters
When you have regular professional maintenance performed on your water heater, it can ensure that it operates at peak efficiency. This maintenance also reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns. These duties should be left to the professionals who have the experience and tools to identify and address potential issues that might not be apparent to the average homeowner.
Regular maintenance can also extend the lifespan of the water heater. With a visit, you can prevent major issues from occurring. Technicians can conduct thorough checks and maintenance to avoid costly repairs later.
Additionally, professional maintenance makes sure that you and your family stay safe by identifying and addressing potential hazards. For example, gas leaks can occur in the home, putting your health at risk.
Investing in professional maintenance can even save you money in the long run. By focusing on efficient operation and early problem detection, these visits can help lower energy bills and prevent costly repairs. Regular maintenance calls are not just a visit but are also wise investments for your home.
Top Maintenance Tasks
Now that you understand the importance of maintaining a water heater, what tasks should be completed? Here are some duties that you should check off on your next professional maintenance visit.
Performing a Complete Inspection
First, your technician will make a complete visual inspection of the water heater and its components. They will look for any type of leaks around the tank, pipes, and connectors. Along with that, the technician will check for corrosion or rust on the pipes and tanks. If you have an older unit, there could be signs of wear and tear around the screws, gaskets, and other areas. All these spots will be examined to see if there are signs of damage or other issues.
Testing the Temperature-Pressure Relief (TPR) Valve
This task ensures the safe operation of a water heater. The TPR valve prevents the water heater tank from over-pressurizing and potentially exploding. Your technician will turn off the power and water supply. After that, they will check if the valve is functioning correctly. If water continues to flow after releasing the tab, the valve may need to be replaced.
Checking the Anode Rod
Another important component is the anode rod. This part prevents corrosion within your water heater tank. While in the tank, it attracts corrosive elements in the water, keeping the interior from rusting. During a maintenance check, the technician examines the condition of the anode rod. If the rod is less than 0.5-inches thick or is heavily corroded, it will need to be replaced.
Flushing the Tank
Over time, minerals such as calcium and magnesium can build up at the bottom of the tank. Flushing helps remove these particles and prevent clogs. If you live in an area with hard water, mineral buildup can be significant.
Also, sediment acts as an insulating layer, which can reduce the efficiency of your water heater. Flushing ensures that your unit has a better heat exchange, meaning that your heater will use less energy to warm the water.
Regular flushing prevents corrosion and extends the lifespan of your water heater. Sediment can settle at the bottom of the tank. When you remove those contaminants, it can extend the useful life of your water heater.
Adjusting the Temperature
One reason for adjusting the temperature is scald prevention. Setting the thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit can help prevent accidents, especially for children and elderly individuals. By keeping the heater’s temperature at a safe level, you reduce the risk of accidental burns.
Lowering the temperature of the water heater can reduce energy consumption. Since heating water accounts for a large portion of your utility bills, setting the temperature yields energy savings without compromising comfort.
Along with that, adjusting the temperature can also help prevent mineral buildup inside the water heater tank. Lower temperatures slow down the process of mineral precipitation and settling inside the tank.
Checking the Insulation Around the Heater and Pipes
When the technician is in your home, they will inspect the insulation around your heater and pipes. Insulation helps to minimize heat loss by creating a barrier that prevents heat from escaping.
Over time, heat naturally dissipates from the tank and pipes, especially in colder environments. With insulation, your water stays warm without the heater working overtime. For that reason, the technician will take the time to make sure that your insulation has not degraded. If it’s in poor shape, they will replace it or add more around the unit and pipes.
Inspecting the Gas Burner or Electric Heating Elements
When you have a properly functioning burner, that makes sure that your heater has efficient combustion. For those units with a gas burner, the technician will check for proper ignition and a clean flame. A dirty burner can lead to incomplete combustion. In turn, that can waste gas and potentially produce harmful byproducts.
On the other hand, homes with electric water heaters have two heating elements. These components heat the water directly. If any of these parts malfunction or have irregularities, that could indicate performance issues with the tank.
Inspecting Electrical Connections and Thermostats
Sometimes, components can malfunction. For that reason, a technician will make sure your thermostat is operating correctly. Using a multimeter, they will measure the resistance to make sure the unit is operating within the correct temperature range. If any thermostat is found to be outside the specified range, it will be replaced with a new one so that the unit will maintain a reliable temperature.
Monitor for Carbon Monoxide Leaks
If you have a gas water heater, it’s critical to check for gas leaks. The technician will use a specialized carbon monoxide detector to check around the water heater for any signs of carbon monoxide and inspect the area around the heater and its connections for any potential issues.
If there are leaks, the technician can take measures to mitigate those problems. Remember that carbon monoxide is often called a “silent killer.” You will want to make sure that your unit is not experiencing any issues that could put your life in harm’s way.
Brennan Heating & Air Conditioning is a trusted provider of professional water heater installation, maintenance, and repair services for Seattle, WA. Along with our water heater services, we also offer a wide range of quality home services, including heating, air conditioning, electrical, heat pump installation and repair, air duct cleaning, indoor air quality solutions, and energy consultation services. We are committed to providing experienced help to meet all your comfort needs. Call us today to schedule an appointment for your home.
