Warm Up to These 6 Water Heater Maintenance Tips This Spring

As the trees bud and the days lengthen around Indianapolis, it’s a sign that it’s time to tackle that spring cleaning list. Along with the usual indoor and outdoor tasks, it’s a perfect time to look at your water heater to ensure it’s functioning as it should. The plumbers at Mister Water Heater are here to guide you through the essentials of yearly water heater maintenance. Here are our top six tips.

What Does Water Heater Maintenance Include?

Regular water heater maintenance can extend its life, improve energy efficiency, and prevent unexpected breakdowns. Just as your car needs oil changes, your water heater needs a little TLC to keep running smoothly.

Ideally, water heater maintenance should be performed at least once a year. Spring is the perfect season to do it. It's as easy as adding it to your spring cleaning list. Here are our top suggestions for inspecting your water heater this spring:

1. Inspect the Pressure Relief Valve

Safety first! The temperature and pressure relief valve is designed to prevent your water heater from becoming a high-pressure hazard. To test it:

• Shut off the power and the cold-water supply valve.
• Place a bucket under the valve and lift the valve's tab to let a little water out.
• If water keeps flowing or doesn't flow at all, you have a problem. It’s time to call Mister Water Heater for water heater repair.

2. Check the Anode Rod

The anode rod sacrifices itself to save your water heater from rust. To check if it needs replacing:

• Drain some water from the tank.
• Extract the rod and check its condition.
• Replace it if more than 6 inches of core steel wire is exposed.

3. Drain the Tank and Wash Out Sediment

Sediment can build up and impact your heater's performance. Draining it is simple:

• Turn off the heater.
• Attach a hose to the drain valve and direct the water into a drain.
• Drain the tank and flush until clear water comes out.

Doing this annually can make a big difference in the unit's lifespan and is vital to water heater maintenance.

4. Adjust the Temperature

Lowering the temperature can save on energy bills and reduce the risk of scalding. The Department of Energy recommends setting it to 120°F. Depending on your particular household's needs, this temperature is generally safer and more energy-efficient.

5. Insulate Older Units

Insulation can reduce standby heat losses by 25-45%. This means it can cut your water heating bill by 4-9%, equating to significant cost savings.

6. Get Professional Help

But the fact is that some aspects of water heater maintenance are best left to the experts. A professional from Mister Water Heater can perform a thorough inspection and identify and fix any issues that could lead to more significant problems down the road. Remember, if you’re ever in doubt about your ability to perform these maintenance tasks, it’s better to call in the pros, especially for water heater repair or water heater replacement.

Keeping up with your water heater maintenance can help prevent you from being left in the cold. These tips can help you spot issues early, save on costly repairs, and even help determine if it's time to consider a new electric, gas, or tankless water heater. The plumbers at Mister Water Heater are always on hand to provide the expertise and service you can rely on. If you need service for the water heater in your Indianapolis area home, contact Mister Water Heater at (833) 270-8502 or request service online today.