Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Water heater maintenance is a crucial part of ensuring the safety and efficiency of your water heating system. Depending on the type, most water heaters will require some sort of maintenance or checking periodically. Let’s help you understand exactly what goes into proper water heater maintenance and identify an excellent water heater repair company to call when necessary—that's right, we're talking about Mr. Rooter Plumbing. Let's take a look at some easy steps you can follow to get the most out of your current water heating system and avoid costly repairs in the future.

Test the Temperature-Pressure-Release Valve

The TPR valve is an important feature of most residential gas water heaters. This valve regulates pressure and temperature inside the tank, preventing it from overfilling or exploding if there's a gas leak in your home. Check this valve regularly to make sure it's functioning correctly. If you notice any problems with your TPR valve, contact a licensed plumber immediately to have it replaced or repaired.

Check the Anode Rod

An anode rod is designed to prevent corrosion in your tank by absorbing any stray electrical current that might come into contact with it while filling up your bathtub or taking a shower. The rod is usually made of aluminum or magnesium and inserted into the tank before installation; however, if you notice bubbles forming around the rod when using hot water — especially during high usage — contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing!

Drain the Tank

Before doing any work on a water heater, drain the tank by turning off the power at its circuit breaker and opening an exterior faucet or drain valve. This will allow any remaining water in the tank to be drained out.

Adjust the Temperature

Water heaters usually have two temperature settings — high and low — but if yours has three or more settings, adjust them accordingly before working on anything else inside your tank (such as replacing parts). This will ensure no damage if you accidentally set it too high or too low during maintenance work.

Insulate the Pipes

Insulation around pipes helps prevent heat loss and saves energy because less energy is needed to heat up water when it's being transferred into your home. It also reduces noise caused by moving water through pipes, which can be irritating if you're trying to sleep or relax in another room.

Insulate the Tank

Water heaters are notoriously inefficient appliances. If you're not careful with insulation, you could waste a lot of money on heating bills. As soon as you buy a new hot water tank, insulate it immediately so that it retains heat better. Also, consider adding an insulation blanket if you don't already have one installed in your home or garage.

Call the Experts At Mr. Rooter Plumbing

In addition to the maintenance tips listed above, remember that several other issues can impact the performance and lifespan of your water heater. For example, it is also vital to keep water heater parts, like the thermocouple and pressure relief valve, maintained and operational. The best way to do this is by having a professional from Mr. Rooter Plumbing out at least once a year. This way, an experienced plumber will catch any potential issue before it becomes serious or potentially dangerous.

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