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Did you know that there are steps you should be completing regularly as a part of water heater maintenance? It’s true. And caring for your water heater is a great way to ensure that it can enjoy a long lifespan with improved efficiency and less risk of a break down.
You can keep reading to learn more about homeowner steps for water heater maintenance in Layton. If you have any questions or concerns about your water heater, you can give our team a call to get guidance or schedule a service appointment.
Regular Inspections
It’s easy to forget that your water heater exists. Okay, maybe not exactly, but it’s easy for problems with your water heater to get out of hand quickly when it is largely out of sight and out of mind. If it helps your remember, you can set a monthly reminder to inspect your water heater for any unusual sounds, leaks, or other signs that something is going wrong. Staying ahead of problems is the best way to prevent your water heater from breaking down.
Flush the System
Once per year, you want to prioritize flushing out the tank. This is especially important if you have harder water with high mineral content. The minerals found in hard water can be very abrasive and damage the lining of your water heater. When you flush the tank out, you eliminate these minerals and prevent them from doing too much damage.
It’s like a fresh start for your water heater. It is key to note that this step is equally important, if not more important, when you have a tankless water heater. Since all of the components are much smaller, minerals can have a greater impact on a tankless model.
Replace the Anode Rod
The anode rod inside of your water heater helps to prevent rust from developing inside of the tank. After all, water and metal mixed together usually leads to rust. The anode rod essentially works as a sacrifice and deteriorates to prevent the rest of your tank from rusting.
However, the anode rod does need to be replaced every three to five years by professionals. Once the anode rod is completely corroded, it no longer works to prevent rust inside of your water heater.
Clean the Filters
The step is specifically for tankless water heater models. Your tankless water heater will have two filters. One is an air filter and the other is a water filter. You can remove each of these filters and clean them out before putting them back in place again. This is a task that you should ideally complete each month. If these filters get clogged, your tankless water heater may not be able to operate the way it should for heating water.
Insulate the Unit and Pipes
An extra step you can take is insulating the water heater and the attached pipes. Doing this can help hot water to maintain a higher temperature for a longer period. It will also reduce strain on your water heater and save on monthly costs for both water and energy.