Get to Know Your Water Heater

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

We worked on a home that had a busted water heater in the attic that flooded through all floors causing severe damage throughout the house.

One common issue that could potentially save a lot of people from a lot of trouble is making sure you know where your water heater is located in your home, and making sure its maintained.  If you want to prolong you water heater’s efficiency and longevity, follow these useful tips.

The first tip is knowing where your water heater is located.  Often it is located conveniently in your garage but sometimes it can be in very inconspicuous places like a closet, and sometimes it can even be in your attic.  If your water heater is in an attic or closet within the home, it’s even more critical to make sure it’s being taken care of and well maintained.  We have seen our fair share of busted water heaters in the attic that have cause severe damage to entire homes as the water floods through each floor.  Get familiar with its location, and know how to shut off the water valve to the water heater in case of a leak or busted water heater, this will save you immeasurable time and money lost.

The next tip is to have a professional come out and check the water heater.  There are a few things that a professional will do to make sure the water heater is functioning optimally.  The first thing they will do is make sure the temperature-pressure-release valve is tested and working properly.  Then they will check the anode rod, this rod runs inside the tank and it attracts iron, limestone and other minerals present in the water so that it corrodes before your tank does.  Having this replaced is relatively inexpensive and it can save many years on the lifespan of your water heater tank.

Another important step to maintaining your water heater is to drain it and wash out any sediment.  This also helps the water heater run more efficiently and last longer as mineral sediment is removed.  A professional will also recommend that the temperature on the water heater’s thermostat(s) be lowered to increase energy efficiency.   Adjusting the thermostat and also adding insulation around the pipes and water heater itself can also increase lifespan, efficiency and energy savings.

Some of these tips can be done yourself with the right tools and proper instruction, there are great how-to guides for maintaining water heaters on the internet and through your water heater’s manufacturer.  If you don’t feel comfortable and confident then please call a professional plumber to come out and take a look at your water heater. 

Following these steps to maintaining your water heater can save you from severe damage and major headaches.  It’s better to replace or fix a water heater before it’s too late and you need us to come and extract the flood waters.