Save Cash By Maintaining Your Water Heater

Here’s how you can save money by maintaining your water heater.

As we head into 2022, we hope you are as excited for the new year as we are. 2021 was a fantastic year for real estate, and we plan to make 2022 even better. Part of our plan to help you make your new year great is by providing some helpful tips for you today about maintaining your water heater. 

There is nothing sexy or glamorous about a water heater; however, the last thing you want to happen is for the hot water to shut off—especially since it always seems to happen when you are in the middle of a shower. Performing the tips below at least once per year will allow you to extend the life of your water heater. 

The first thing you should do is visually inspect the tank. This process is simple; just check for leaks, rust, or anything else that raises concern around the exterior of the tank. One area that is prone to leak over time is the Temperature Pressure Relief (TPR) Valve. This valve is on the exterior of your tank, generally on the side and near the top. To check the valve, place a bucket under the discharge pipe and raise the valve until water comes out. If water comes out, everything is working properly. If not, you might need to have a professional take a look at your TPR Valve. One note of caution, the water coming from the tank will be hot... take precautions not to get scalded.

“If you perform proper maintenance, you can get the most out of what you have and save some serious cash.”

The second thing you should do is inspect the water. To check the water in the tank, simply drain some water from the tank using the tank drain valve at the bottom of the unit. Again, the water will be hot so take appropriate steps to avoid being burned. Drain just a gallon or two into a bucket and check for debris or dirty water. If the water is discolored or you can see sediment, that is a sign of rust and/or hard water sediment buildup in the tank. This means your tank may need to be completely drained and refilled, or perhaps, replaced altogether.

The third thing you should do is check the anode rod. This rod pulls corrosion towards itself so that it does not ruin your tank. This anode rod does have a lifespan, and will eventually stop doing its job. When the anode rod has taken on all of the corrosion that it can handle, it will need to be replaced to prevent corrosion from impacting your tank.

Lastly, if you water heater uses gas to heat the water in the tank, check the gas lines for cracks or corrosion. If you find anything that looks suspicious, contact a professional immediately. 

By performing these minor maintenance checks at least annually, you can extend the life of your current water heater. This is important because replacing a water heater is getting more expensive along with everything else. What used to cost a few hundred dollars will now cost you a few thousand! If you have any questions about today’s topic, please reach out to us via phone or email. You can discover more details regarding these tips with simple searches online; however, if you feel that you would like the assistance of a licensed professional, we would be happy to put you in touch with one of our preferred business partners.