Maintain Your Water Heater

Water heaters generally don’t require much work day to day, but it’s extremely important to complete a simple check up every so often to avoid costly repair or replacement. A broken water heater means no hot water for every daily routine around the house. The average lifespan of a water heater is around 11 years. Without proper maintenance, that life span is drastically lowered. Here are some things you can do to make sure it continues to run for as long as possible:

Checking Temperature

The thermostat is an important tool to pay attention to on your water heater. Manufacturers often recommend setting the temperature at 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). This default temperature is hotter than it really needs to be. High temperatures like this can cause scalding, along with an increased rate of mineral buildup and corrosion in pipes. A recommended set temperature would be 120 degrees F (48 degrees Celsius). This prevents tank damage and helps save on losses of standby and demand heat.

Regular Tank Draining

Draining the tank is an important part of keeping your water heater working efficiently. Flushing out one-quarter of the water in the tank a few times a year can help prevent your water heater from sediment buildup and preserve heat more efficiently. You can do this by turning off the cold-water supply, hook a garden hose to the drain valve and run water through it until It looks clear.

Testing the Pressure Relief Valve

A working pressure relief valve should release a burst of hot water into the drainpipe after you raise and then lower the lever. Checking the pressure regularly can clear out debris. When the valve does not let out a big burst each time, it might be time to call the experts at Drain Masters. Call Drain Masters or schedule online today for any water heater or plumbing issues.