Image Source: FreeImages Maintaining your water heater is important to its longevity and efficiency. Depending on the model and age of your water heater, there are maintenance procedures that must be followed to keep it in good working order. Neglecting to perform these tasks can result in an increased risk of a breakdown or other issues. Fortunately, with a little bit of diligence and effort, you can easily ensure your water heater continues to perform well for the duration of its life. Here are some simple tips on how you can maintain your water heater. Flush out sediment and mineral build-up The water coming into your house is often very dirty and can contain sediment, rust, and mineral deposits that can build up inside the tank, nipples and other components of your water heater, causing it to become less efficient. One of the best ways to prevent this is to flush the system out once a year. All you need to do is drain the water heater tank, refill it with clean water, and then turn on the water supply. This process will flush out any sediment and mineral build-up in the system. It’s also a good idea to flush the system out if you have had a water heater failure. Mineral deposits can cause the new water heater to break down more quickly, especially if they build up inside the heat exchanger. Check seals, hoses and connections One of the most common problems with water heaters is leaks. They often happen at fittings and connections, where there may be a loose seal or hose connection. To check for leaks, simply turn off the main water supply, wait an hour or two to allow the water in the water heater to cool down, then listen for any hissing sounds coming from the connections. If you hear one, it’s likely there’s a small leak. If so, you should turn off the water supply at the main shutoff and contact a plumber immediately. If there are no leaks, you should check the seals on connections. If they’re hard and brittle, they may have dried out and need replacing. Replacing seals and hoses is an easy and inexpensive maintenance task that will help prevent leaks and prolong the life of your water heater. Adjust the temperature setting If the water coming out of your hot water tap isn’t as hot as it used to be, the temperature setting on your water heater may need adjusting. Most water heaters have a temperature dial or setting somewhere on the side of the unit. If you can’t find it, consult the owner’s manual. Simply turning the dial up or down can often solve this problem. Take care not to set the temperature too high, as this will increase your energy bill and shorten the lifespan of the water heater. Install a drip pan If you have a water heater that sits on a concrete floor, it’s a good idea to install a drip pan under it. Water heaters tend to leak and drip water over the years, so a drip pan can collect this water and prevent it from damaging the floor. You can buy a drip pan from your local hardware store. Simply place the pan under the water heater and make sure it’s level. When the water heater is full of water, it’ll overflow into the pan and collect there. When it’s time to clean the water out of the pan, simply remove the pan and take the water heater to a plumber to be cleaned out. In addition to collecting water, a drip pan can also be used to catch any small pieces of debris that may have built up in the bottom of the water heater. This way they won’t be flushed out and cause a clog in your plumbing. Add a water heater blanket Over time, water heaters can get very hot. This can pose a danger to small children and pets, as well as people who may be susceptible to burns. To solve this problem, you can purchase a water heater blanket, which is a type of insulation that will wrap around the water heater and keep it cooler. As with any kind of insulation, it’s important to make sure it’s rated for outdoor use. Wrapping your water heater with a blanket can help to prolong its life, save you money on energy bills, and make it safer for everyone. Conclusion Water heaters are an essential part of modern life. They provide us with hot water for almost all of our daily activities. However, water heaters do require regular maintenance to ensure they last as long as they can. With these maintenance tips, you can make sure that your water heater works at its best.
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