Many water heaters are especially busy in the fall. The holiday season is ramping up, and this means more guests in the home. It also means more dishes and laundry to wash. All this activity requires the water tank to work harder to heat those extra gallons of water. Here are some tips to make sure your heater runs safely.
Check the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve
Basically, this valve keeps your water heater from blowing up if the water gets too hot or the pressure gets too high. Your plumber can check this valve easily. They simply pull up the handle. Water should flow out when it’s up and then stop when the handle’s down. Actually, the water should burst out. If no water comes out at all, it means it’s time to replace the valve.
Flush the Tank
Sediment builds up in the water heater tank over time. This buildup can make the tank work harder than it should and shorten its lifespan. This, too, is an easy maintenance task. Turn the heater off both at the heater and the circuit box. Turn off the cold water supply and then open the drain valve to let the water run out until it’s clear of sediment.
Watch the Temperature
You may like the water you shower or wash dishes with to be really hot, but the ideal temperature for a water heater is 120 degrees F. Anything higher not only risks scalding, but it also makes the water heater work harder. Some water tanks are set to 140 degrees F, which is not only dangerous to skin but also actually hazardous for the hot water tank.
Hot water encourages the buildup of sediment in the tank and limescale in the hot water pipes. It also makes your tank lose standby heat and can raise your energy bills. Standby heat loss happens when you’re not using your water heating.
Check the Anode Rod
The anode rod in your tank is there to attract sediment that would otherwise collect in the tank itself. Over time, the anode rod corrodes down to bare wire. If it looks like this, it’s time to replace it. Besides the anode rod, you should also check to see if the tank fittings are corroded or worn out.
Check for Leaks
There should be no damp spots or puddles around your water heater. If there are, shut the water heater off and call the plumber.
Contact Us for More Hot Water Safety Tips
During the fall, you want your hot water tank to run reliably and safely. For water heater service, don’t hesitate to call our professional plumbers at PHD Plumbing in Yuma, AZ.