Expert Water Heater Maintenance Tips
Every home relies on hot water to perform many tasks every day. But since water heaters are usually installed in the basement or the garage, people do not see them often, and therefore, most people do not think about their water heaters until they don’t have any hot water or when water is leaking on the floor. But with proper maintenance, your heater is designed to serve you for many years without significant problems. Below are some water heater tips that you can count on to keep your unit functioning optimally.
Test Relief Valve
Once every year, it is important for you to test the pressure and temperature valve to ensure that it is working properly. To do this, you should place a bucket under the drainpipe and then raise and lower the valve gently. If hot water does not rush out of the drainpipe, then you should know that there are problems and consider calling a Collinsville, IL plumber.
Drain the Tank
With time, you can expect sediments to build up in the tank. Unfortunately, this can make the water heater unreliable and inefficient. The sediments can also make the water smelly. For you to remove the sediments, you have to drain the tank.
Check for Leaks
A leaking water heater can cause costly water damages and increase your utility bills. Ensure that you check your hot water system every several months and call the plumber immediately if there are any leaks. Remember that, unless they are attended to in time, even small leaks could lead to significant problems.
Check The Water Temperature
Your water heater should be set about 60 degrees Celsius. Anything less than 55 degrees could encourage the growth of harmful bacteria while temperatures above 60 degrees could mean unnecessarily high utility bills. Therefore, if the setting on your hot water tank is not between 55 degrees and 60 degrees, then you should adjust it accordingly.
Insulate
If you are using an older model, chances are that it is not insulated. You can use fiberglass for this purpose. The cold and hot water pipes should also be insulated. Insulation will go a long way in improving the efficiency of your water heater.
The Takeaway
Overall, it is apparent that the importance of a properly functioning water heater cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, it is imperative for you to ensure that your water heater is well maintained. As such, it is important to stay in touch with a reliable plumber who can help you with preventive water heater maintenance.
