Your water heater works hard every single day, supplying the hot water you rely on for showers, dishes, laundry, and more. However, it needs a little TLC to stay running safely and efficiently. Here’s a simple guide to keeping your water heater in shape.
Make sure your water heater is set to the right temperature. Most manufacturers recommend 120°F. That’s warm enough for comfort and sanitation but low enough to prevent scalding and unnecessary energy use.
Visually inspect your water heater every month or so. You’re looking for puddles, drips, rust, or corrosion on the tank or fittings. Even small issues can turn into major problems if they’re ignored, especially since a leaking tank can fail suddenly and cause significant water damage.
Sediment naturally builds up inside traditional tank-style water heaters. If you live in an area with hard water, that happens even faster. Over time, that buildup can reduce efficiency, make weird noises, and even cause premature tank failure.
Flushing the tank once a year helps remove that sediment. Comfortable handling home maintenance on your own? You can do this yourself. That said, many homeowners prefer to let a plumber handle it to make sure it’s done right.
The T&P relief valve is one of the most important safety features on your water heater. It prevents dangerous pressure buildup inside the tank. Testing it once a year makes sure it’s still working properly. All it takes is lifting the lever briefly to confirm that hot water flows out and the valve resets correctly. If it doesn’t, the valve needs to be replaced.
Your water heater has a sacrificial anode rod inside the tank. Its job is to attract corrosion so the tank itself doesn’t rust. If the anode rod becomes too worn, your tank will suffer for it. Checking or replacing this rod every few years will extend the life of your water heater.
Regular maintenance keeps your water heater reliable and safe. If you’d rather leave the work to an expert or you’ve noticed signs of trouble, Elk Grove Village Sewer & Plumbing is here to help. Contact us today to schedule a maintenance visit or request a quote
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