Hot Water, Hot Tips: Essential Repairs for Your Water Heater
The water heater in your home is one of your most important appliances. It usually works for you and provides you with the hot water your family needs for bathing, cleaning, and cooking. However, sometimes it needs a little work from you or a professional technician. Keep reading for some hot tips on keeping your water heater repair and maintenance tasks that you should know about.
Avoid Repairs
The best repairs are the ones that you prevent. Regular inspections identify minor issues before they turn into big ones, and industry experts can keep your water heater operating efficiently.
Tank Insulation
Is your tank struggling to keep the water hot? Insulate it. Not only will your water stay warmer, but your water heater won’t have to work as hard. That will help it last longer before you need to replace it. Insulating the pipes going in can also help protect against bursts in cold weather.
Lower the Temperature
Water heaters sometimes get installed with high-temperature settings. Some units are tuned up to 140F. Lowering the temperature a few degrees can extend the unit’s life and save energy. If anyone in your family is prone to scalding, particularly children and the elderly, you might want to go down to 120F.
Flush the Tank Annually
Tank flushing gets sediment out of the bottom. At best, this decreases efficiency. At worst, it causes corrosion. Flushing your tank can fix many issues you might be having. Even if you’re not having issues, you should flush it if it hasn’t been done in the last 12 months.
Air Intake Filter Replacement
Is your water heater tankless? If so, you need to replace the air intake filter regularly. Dirty filters can cause the unit to overheat and even stop working, so put fresh ones in to minimize contaminants such as dust.
Anode Rod Replacement
This metal rod protects your water heater tank from corrosion by attracting corrosive elements in the water. That way, the rod corrodes instead of the tank. That means it eventually needs replacement, approximately every five years, based on your local water type. If you’re unsure how long it’s been, check it by pulling it out and looking at the current corrosion. If more than half of it has been corroded, it’s time to replace it.
Temperature Pressure Relief Valve
This safety feature should release pressure if the water inside overheats. Test this valve once a month to ensure functionality. Water that fails to come out is just as serious as water that comes out in substantial volume. Either case is cause for replacement.
Access to hot water isn’t just a matter of comfort in the shower or bathtub; you also need it to wash dishes and clothes. Schedule a service call for repairs you can’t handle or would rather have a professional handle. If you want truly elite water heater repair, contact us. Call us at 702.263.2665, or visit our website at Elite Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.
