How do you Maintain a Hot Water Heater?
Maintaining a hot water heater is vital to ensure efficient operation, prolong the lifespan, and prevent potential issues. Here are some general steps to help you maintain your hot water heater, although you should always follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer:
- Turn off the power: Turn off the power at the circuit breaker for an electric water heater. Turn the thermostat to the “pilot” setting for a gas water heater.
- Inspect the water heater: Check for leaks, rust, or any other signs of damage or wear. Pay close attention to the area around the pressure relief valve and the water supply lines.
- Test the pressure relief valve: This safety device releases excess pressure from the tank. To test it, lift the valve’s lever and let it snap back into place. You should hear a gurgling sound as water is released through the valve. If it does not function properly, it should be replaced.
- Flush the tank: Sediment buildup can decrease the efficiency of your water heater and lead to damage. At least once a year, drain the water from the tank to remove any sediment. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank, and run the hose to a floor drain or outside. Open the drain valve and allow the water to flow until it clears. Then close the valve and refill the tank.
- Inspect the anode rod: This component helps prevent rusting of the tank. Remove the anode rod from the top of the tank and check for significant wear or corrosion. If it’s more than 50% corroded, it’s time to replace it.
- Insulate the tank and pipes: Insulating your hot water heater and pipes can reduce heat loss and save energy. Use pre-cut pipe insulation for the pipes and an insulating blanket for the tank.
- Check the thermostat: Ensure that the thermostat is set at an appropriate temperature, typically between 120-130°F (49-54°C). Lowering the temperature can save energy and reduce the risk of scalding.
- Keep the area around the water heater clear: Maintain a clear space around your water heater to ensure proper ventilation and reduce the risk of fire.
- Regularly inspect the venting system: For gas water heaters, check the venting system for blockages or damage. Ensure the vent hood is securely attached and the pipe is connected correctly.
- Schedule professional maintenance: Have your water heater inspected and serviced by a professional at least once a year or as the manufacturer recommends. They can address issues that may not be visible to the untrained eye.
Remember, always follow the maintenance guidelines provided by your water heater’s manufacturer, and consult a professional if you are unsure about any of the steps. Regular maintenance will help ensure your hot water heater operates efficiently and lasts as long as possible.
How do you Maintain a Tankless Hot Water Heater?
Maintaining a tankless hot water heater is essential for efficient operation, extended lifespan, and preventing potential issues. While it’s always best to follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer, here are some general steps to help you maintain your tankless hot water heater:
- Turn off the power: For electric tankless water heaters, turn off the power at the circuit breaker. For gas tankless water heaters, turn off the gas supply and set the thermostat to the “off” position.
- Inspect the unit: Check for leaks, rust, or any signs of damage or wear. Pay close attention to the area around the water supply lines and connections.
- Clean the inlet filter screen: The filter screen prevents debris from entering the unit and causing damage. To clean it, turn off the water supply, remove the inlet filter screen, and clean it with a soft brush under running water. Reinstall the filter screen after cleaning.
- Flush the heat exchanger: Sediment and scale buildup can decrease the efficiency of your tankless water heater. At least once a year, flush the heat exchanger with a descaling solution. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific descaling process for your unit.
- Inspect the venting system: For gas tankless water heaters, check the venting system for blockages, damage, or corrosion. Ensure that the vent hood is securely attached and the vent pipe is properly connected.
- Clean the air intake and exhaust vents: Remove any debris or obstructions from the air intake and exhaust vents to ensure proper airflow and combustion.
- Check the ignition and flame: For gas tankless water heaters, ensure that the ignition system functions correctly and that the flame is blue with a yellow tip. If the flame is yellow or orange, it could indicate an issue with the combustion process and may require professional attention.
- Inspect and clean the condensate drain (if applicable): Some tankless water heaters have a built-in condensate drain to remove excess moisture. Check the drain for blockages and clean it as needed.
- Check the temperature and pressure relief valve (if applicable): This safety device releases excess pressure and temperature from the unit. Test it by lifting the lever and letting it snap back into place. Water should be released through the valve. If it does not function properly, it should be replaced.
- Schedule professional maintenance: Have your tankless water heater inspected and serviced by a professional at least once a year, or as recommended by the manufacturer. They can address any issues that may not be visible to the untrained eye.
By performing regular maintenance on your tankless hot water heater, you can ensure that it operates efficiently and lasts as long as possible. Always follow the maintenance guidelines provided by your water heater manufacturer and consult a professional if unsure about any of the steps.
Few people ignore the manufacturer’s recommendations when it comes to keeping autos maintained. For example, many cars built in the last 5-7 years alert the driver to the remaining oil life. It’s common to hear friends and neighbors state, “My car is due for an oil change, I need to get that scheduled.” Additional maintenance most people also include is brake pads, wiper blades, the engine air filter, and the cabin air filter as part of scheduled car care.
It is a simple concept. Maintenance is performed on the wearable parts to avoid an unexpected repair due to a clogged filter or low/dirty oil and filter. To make sure the car stops, brake pads are changed. Besides oil and filters, ensuring correct tire air pressure is another feature built into most newer cars, alerting the driver via remote tire pressure sensors.
Neglecting the life of a water heater is akin to driving on tires for 100,000 miles. It’s an accident waiting to happen. Water heaters, like tires, have a designated life span. Just like 50,000-mile tires should be replaced at or before you reach that mileage, so should your water heater get that same treatment.
Here’s why water heaters fail:
Internal Rust:
Most modern hot water tanks have anodes inside, which help to reduce rust caused by the combination of water and air inside the tank. Often called sacrificial anodes, these components get used up over time, and you can inspect them yourself halfway through the expected life cycle of an installed water heater tank.
Sediment Buildup:
Sediment is created when hard water gets heated and lies on the tank’s bottom. Often called scale, it builds up and eventually causes the bottom to overheat and melt away the protective glass lining in gas water heaters. This is the usual culprit when the bottom appears to fall out.
Corrosive Fumes:
The tank draws in air to allow combustion to occur. Therefore, any strong cleaning supplies left in a tightly enclosed area will influence the air quality. Do not keep cleaning supplies, including mops that may have been exposed to bleach or ammonia-based product.
High Water Pressure:
One of the most overlooked ways of sending your water heater to an early grave is excess water pressure. 60-80 psi is the acceptable pressure level for most residential water heaters. Much like our last tip, if the water heater blow-off valve leaves water on your floor, you may need to install a pressure reducer and an expansion tank. If you are concerned about water pressure and there is no pressure gauge, Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC will happily install one upon request.
Here’s an accurate tip:
If your 10-year warrantied water heater was installed 10 OR MORE years ago, it’s likely waiting for the most inopportune moment to fail. A holiday weekend, at 10 PM the day before an important meeting, or just before leaving for the airport to pick up weekend guests.
Right now, go check the date that your water heater was installed. It’s probably easier just to look for the date the town’s plumbing inspector approved the installation. If that date is more than ten years ago, schedule a call with Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC and get it replaced ASAP.
You wouldn’t run on tires until they were so worn to be unsafe, and likewise, we don’t want you to have a dangerous water heater failing when you least expect it. Avoid the additional costs of overtime labor and the inconvenience of your family without the hot water they need for bathing and laundry.
Still need help? No sweat. Call Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC at (201) 343-1414 or just click the following link mailto:[email protected]
About Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC
Exclusively Serving Bergen County, New Jersey
Michael Muccia is a Master Plumber and the owner and operator of Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC. Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC is a full-service Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) service company based in and serving Bergen County, NJ, since 1978. The Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC team of trained and certified service technicians offers various services, including general plumbing and heating maintenance, for residential and commercial clients.
Whatever your plumbing, heating, air conditioning, or ventilation needs are, it’s easier with Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC. We treat our customers, large and small, with the best service in the industry. We know you have a choice when considering an HVAC company, and no matter what we do for you, we treat it as the most crucial job in our history. Our experience proves that we know how to work efficiently, which keeps costs low, uses only the best components within budget, and stands behind the work we do.
Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC has locations in the following areas:
Hackensack | Hillside | Ramsey | Waldwick | Maywood | Tenafly
