Water heaters are essential to many places and luxury to some.
They are a part of our daily routines, and because of that, it is typical for water heaters to wear out or break down. Therefore, investing in regular water heater maintenance is crucial.
Maintaining the quality of your water heater has its benefits. Similar to how you need to maintain the quality of your HVAC systems through HVAC access doors and panels that give easy access when checking your water heater’s mechanism.
Having your water heater regularly checked will help you save money on repairs, prolong its lifespan, and, at the same time, continue the quality volume of water output.
If you need some informative tips to help you maintain the quality and longevity of your water heaters at home, then this is the article you need!
Table of Contents
Check your TPR valve
Initially, you will need to check the TPR valve to shut off the power and the cold-water supply valve. Start placing a bucket below the pipe connected to the temperature-pressure-release valve.
This is located on the side or at the top of the tank. Note that this valve opens if the tank pressure gets too high. Afterward, you will want to lift the valve’s tab to let a little water out, then let go. If the water keeps flowing out, you should drain the tank partly. Using a pipe wrench, unscrew the valve and install a new one.
Test the anode rod
Place a hose to the tank’s drain cock and let out a few gallons of water. After doing so, fit a one and 1/16-inch socket onto the rod’s head. This is located on top of the heater or under its top plate.
Suppose it’s less than ½ inch thick or covered with calcium, purchase and replace it with a new one. Wrap its threads with Teflon tape and put it back in the tank. Tighten and secure it in place. Utilize the segmented rod if the headroom above the tank is limited.
Drain the tank and wash out the sediments
Drain the remaining water into a pale or bucket, then stir up the sediment on the tank’s bottom by briskly opening the cold-water supply valve. Repeat these steps until clean water comes out of the hose. After this, close the drain cock, refill the tank, and turn the water heater’s power back on.
Adjust the temperature
Locate the temperature dial on the edge of the tank and unscrew its cover. Using a flathead screwdriver, adjust the temperature to 120 degrees. This will help save you up to five percent in energy costs. If you’re going away for more than three days, turn the water heater off or the thermostat down to its lowest setting.
Insulate the pipes and heater
You can purchase a self-sticking 3/8-inch-thick foam pipe insulation that matches the pipes’ width. Slide the foam over the water pipes as far as you can.
Insulating the cold-water pipe helps prevent it from condensing during summertime. Peel the tape and close the insulation by squeezing it. If the line is 6 inches or less from the flue, cover it with 1-inch-thick unfaced fiberglass pipe wrap.
Your heater needs to be insulated, too. This technique will help prolong its efficiency. Cut the insulating blanket to fit around pipes, the TPR valve, and the temperature control protruding out of the tank.
Wrap the edges of the tank, and seal the cuts with foil tape. Make sure you don’t cover the tip of the gas or oil heaters. Cover the electric heater with an oversize circle of insulation, and tape its edges to secure the component.
With these steps, you will indeed be prepared and equipped to maintain the quality of your water heater by yourself. Knowing this will help you save money in the long run and maintain the efficiency of your water heater.
