Water heaters in homes often don’t last as long as they should. Inadequate maintenance is the leading contributor to those shorter lifespans. Let’s explore maintenance tips that can extend your water heater’s life while lowering costs and helping avoid repairs.
Lower the Temperature
Most water heaters ship from the factory set to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is higher than necessary for the average household. The Department of Energy recommends 120 degrees instead. Your hot water will be comfortable without being a scalding risk. A lower temperature reduces the workload on water heater components and, therefore, the wear and tear. It also slows the formation of mineral deposits that can shorten the lifespan in various ways.
Schedule Professional Preventative Maintenance Annually
Despite industry recommendations, many homeowners don’t schedule routine water heater maintenance. They may not even think about their water heaters until a problem occurs. Unfortunately, a break-fix approach can cost you more money in the end. We recommend having a plumber inspect and clean your water heater at least once a year. A plumber can also correct any wear and tear early before it develops into a more serious problem.
Perform a DIY Inspection Monthly
Even with routine professional inspections, homeowners should remain vigilant. Perform a cursory evaluation of your water heater at least once a month. Dust the area, and ensure that it’s free of clutter, especially anything flammable. If you have an older fuel-burning model, ensure the pilot light burns blue. Clear it of dust and cobwebs if necessary. Check the valves and insulation. Look for any signs of leaks, excess moisture, rust, or other corrosion. If you notice any problems, call a plumber right away rather than waiting for your annual checkup.
Consider Water Hardness
Both well and municipal water sources have calcium and magnesium in them. Those minerals are problematic because they can leave behind deposits that accumulate in the system. Sediment can decrease energy efficiency and cause a water heater to work longer and harder. It can also increase water pressure and lead to premature component failure.
If you’re unsure how hard your water is, you should have it tested. Homeowners with moderately hard water should consider adding a local anti-scale device to the water heater. It will prevent most of the calcium and magnesium from leaving behind deposits. Households with water hardness higher on the scale should consider a water softener instead. A point-of-entry system will also protect your pipes, fixtures, and other water-using appliances.
Descale Your Tankless Water Heater
Limescale can substantially shorten the life of an on-demand water heater. Most manufacturers recommend annual descaling to protect against the deterioration that scale causes. Descaling involves using a recirculating pump to cycle a cleaning solution through the water heater. Doing so removes scale from tubes, valves, heating elements, and other components. Typically, the process takes at least 30 minutes and as long as an hour. For routine maintenance, a mix of water and vinegar works well as the cleaning agent. A plumber may use a more potent chemical when cleaning a system with significant scale buildup.
Flush Your Tank Water Heater
Most U.S. homes still have a traditional storage-based water heater. These systems use a tank, typically between 40 and 50 gallons, to store and heat the home’s hot water supply. Limescale causes deterioration in tank systems as well. It’s a leading cause of leaks because scale promotes rust that eats through the tank from the inside out. The Water Quality Association found that scale often reduced tank water heater lifespan by 50%. This scale buildup may explain why many water heaters only last eight years despite manufacturers estimating 15 years or longer.
To protect against this deterioration, you should have a plumber flush your tank at least once a year. The plumber will attach a hose to the drain valve and empty the tank. The final step is to refill the tank and ensure the system recovers appropriately. A plumber can sanitize the tank between those steps if there’s a biological buildup as well.
Check the Sacrificial Anode Rod
All tank water heaters have a sacrificial anode rod. This is a metal rod that slows the accumulation of scale and corrosion through electrolysis. The rod corrodes through this process and eventually needs replacement, and the typical lifespan is between three and five years. An anode rod is a primary reason that regular tank water heater maintenance is crucial. Without it, an old rod can cause discolored and smelly water, a rusted tank, high water pressure, and other issues. During annual maintenance, your plumber will remove the rod and inspect it. If it’s time to replace it, your plumber will cut a new rod to size and install it into the water heater.
Clean and Replace Filters as Needed
All tankless water heaters have air filters, and some tank water heaters do. Some water heaters may also have water filters. You should check these filters regularly by following the schedule that the manufacturer advises. Some filters are single use, and you should replace them. Other filters allow you to clean them multiple times before replacing them.
Test the TPR Valve
Tank water heaters have a temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve. When pressure or temperature gets too high in the tank, this valve lets water escape. Test this valve every month by raising and lowering the handle three times. You should see water drain out of the valve and into a pipe that leads outside the home. If you don’t see water or if there’s an issue with the drainage, contact a plumber for a repair right away.
Inspect the Insulation
All water heaters require some insulation to prevent heat loss, which can lead to higher energy usage. Your plumber will check the insulation annually and replace it as needed. Homeowners should also monitor it for deterioration throughout the year. Most systems only require insulation on the hot water pipe running from the water heater to the plumbing system. Some, such as electric tank models, may need a water heater jacket and/or an insulated base.
Check the Gas Valve
Fuel-burning water heaters will have a gas pipe and valve. These connect to either the natural gas line or your liquid propane or heating oil tank. Check the pipe each month to make sure it’s in good condition. Ensure that the valve works and is in a fully open position. You should also check any carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries and the units themselves as needed.
Add an Expansion Tank
Laws that require expansion tanks for tank water heaters are becoming increasingly common. While upgrading an older system isn’t a legal mandate, it’s often a good idea. Having an expansion tank reduces stress on the system due to thermal expansion. A closed system without that protection generally won’t last as long due to the increased stress.
Professional Water Heater Maintenance in Coachella Valley
General Air Conditioning & Plumbing is a plumbing contractor located in Thousand Palms, CA. Our licensed plumbers travel throughout the Greater Coachella Valley and surrounding areas. We are a proud Lennox Premier Dealer but provide manufacturer-approved maintenance for all water heater brands and models. Our plumbers install tank and tankless water heaters, and we’re available 24/7 for emergencies. Call today or contact us online for additional information.
