The water heater is one of the most important pieces of equipment in any home. Without it, hot showers, fresh laundry and clean dishes are impossible. Most water heaters last around 11 years, but if they don’t get proper maintenance, they might go much earlier.
Here are 3 things you can do to maintain your water heater.
1) CHECK THE TEMPERATURE
Always monitor the thermostat on your water heater. Some are set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit by default–a bit hotter than most households really need. Such high temperatures can cause scalding, pipe corrosion and accelerated mineral buildup. We recommend you keep your water heater at 120 F to prevent damage.
2) DRAIN THE TANK REGULARLY
You should flush out about one-quarter of the tank in your water heater. This can be done easily by turning off the cold water supply, hooking up a garden hose to the drain valve and then running the water until it’s clear. This will get rid of sediment and also keep the heater efficient.
3) TEST THE PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
A working pressure relief valve should release a burst of hot water into the drainpipe after you raise and then lower the test lever. You should do this often in order to check the pressure and to clear out debris. If the valve is not letting out a big burst each time, call Clear Drain to get a new one installed.
As we’ve mentioned in previous articles, water heaters are incredibly complex pieces of equipment the need lots of care and attention. If you start to experience issues with your water heater, give us a call and we’ll come help you!
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