Simple Tips to Maximize the Lifespan of Your Water Heater

Every household unit and device in our home needs proper care and regular maintenance; it's necessary to make sure they're working properly to keep them from getting damaged. Even the simplest things can keep your devices running smoothly for many years; this is the same for water heaters and how they need simple to give us all the warm water we need.

 

 

We came up with some helpful tips to make your water heater last longer with you.

Flush the Tank Regularly 

Many people forget to do this and it could save you a lot of trouble in the future. Your tank needs to be flushed at least twice a year. Flushing it every 6 months can help you see if the water inside has dirt or any kind of debris. Murky and debris-filled water builds up in the tank over time, causing a lot of efficiency problems with the heating mechanisms, and could make your energy bills cost more than they should. So, if you drain some of the water and find debris, you should do a full cleanup for the tank. If you're using the advanced heaters with self-cleaning features, you will only need to flush it every 3 years.

Pressure Valve Testing

Every heater designed for homes has a temperature relief valve for safety purposes; it releases the built-up heat to avoid the pressure from damaging the heater and prevent any accidental explosions. Every plumber or contractor recommends regular checks. The expert contractors in Louisville are pre-screened for better service and know if the valve needs replacing or repair. Checking that valve every four or six months is a great idea to make sure it's working properly, and it maximizes your heater's lifespan. Lift the lever that controls it to see if any water comes out. When water comes out it means it's working properly, but you need to get the valve replaced or fixed if no water is discharged from the pipe. 

Checking the Anode Rod

This is another thing that you need to check annually; this rod is like a small metal pipe installed in your heater to prevent the tank from rusting. The great thing it can do is to attract all the corrosion so it doesn't reach the steel body of the tank; it can get very rusty and corroded depending on the condition. So, if you want your heater to run longer, you will need to replace that anode rod at least every year, or when it gets fully rusted. It's possible to have more than one of these rods inside to prolong the process and give your heater an extended life, preventing it from ever rusting. 

Installing a Water Softener

Not a lot of people know that there are two kinds of water in our plumbing: hard water and soft water. Most of us have hard water and it's not too bad for us; it's actually healthy and has good minerals. But it's bad for our pipes, valves, and heaters. Hard water leaves a lot of mineral deposits in everything it touches, making your water heater a victim of deposit buildups that can be detrimental and lower its lifespan significantly. Installing a water softener system can avoid that and keep it working longer.

Dealing with the Temperature Settings

The heater's lifespan automatically gets lower every time it's used, so it's important to adjust the settings to low or completely off when you're traveling or going away for a while. You can adjust the settings of the temperature by unscrewing the dial cover on the side with a screwdriver and setting it on the lowest option to save on energy costs and keep your heater from working when you're not there. Some models have valves where you can turn it off completely; it's smart to do that because you'll save more energy and give your heater a longer lifespan.

 

 

If you want to keep your utility units running and avoid any damage, these tips can be helpful. Water heaters are very delicate units and need regular care to keep them working properly. Whether you do it alone or get professionals to do it for you, you need to keep an eye on the little things that could cause problems later. It is always advisable to stop anything bad from happening by taking the necessary safety measures first. This may seem very taxing at first, but with time it will become a part of your regular routine and you will find your heater lives longer than expected.