As the weather outside continues to get colder, homeowners think more and more about keeping themselves warm around the house. One component of your house that helps keep you warm is the water heater. Water heaters can only continue functioning well if you take good care of them. That’s why, today, we’ll be going over water heater maintenance tips that you should follow this fall.
Flush the Tank to Avoid Too Much Sediment Accumulation
There are many minerals that can accumulate at the bottom of your tank, like magnesium and calcium. This can be a problem because these minerals actually hinder the water’s ability to be warmed up by the heating element. This means your heater has to work harder in order to keep water warm, which raises the likelihood of the tank failing you in the future.
As such, you should flush the minerals out of your heater tank annually. This should prevent too many minerals from building up within the tank.
Take a Look at the Anode Rod
The anode rod is a component of your water heater’s corrosion protection system. It’s designed to attract corrosive materials so that the water heater isn’t exposed to them. This helps to slow down the rusting process of your water heater.
Over time, however, this anode rod can deteriorate. Because of this, you’ll need to check on the anode rod every 1-2 years. Get it replaced if you see that the rod is worn out, or when it has a lot of calcium deposits on it.
Inspect Your Water Heater for Leaks
You shouldn’t just check the water heater itself; you should also inspect the nearby vicinity for standing water or staining. If there is standing water or staining, this is indicative of a leak. If you do notice that there is leaking around your heater, you should get it professionally inspected with the help of a plumber.
For Water Heater Maintenance, Call Master Plumbing
Give Master Plumbing a call at (301) 650-9100, or contact us online to get more information on how our expert plumbers can help you with just about anything plumbing-related! We have received Angie’s List Super Service Award recognition for plumbing and drain cleaning every year since 2007, in addition to the Best Plumber award from Best of Bethesda. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, and our service is unparalleled. Give us a call today—you won’t regret it! To see examples of our projects, follow us on Facebook and Twitter!