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Imagine a world where your shower was the same temperature every time, where you didn’t fall asleep to ominous sounds from your water heater, and where the water is still hot, even after 30 minutes of singing in the shower. With Core Plumbing and a little bit of regular maintenance, this dream could be your reality. Your water heater may seem like this daunting metal silo in your basement that may or may not work perfectly, but is a little too scary for you to start tinkering with it. First things first, caring for your water heater starts with understanding it.
As you may guess, the purpose of a water heater is to heat the water in your home and in reality it doesn’t do much more than that. However, different types of water heaters work differently.
Traditional Tank Water Heaters: These store water in a large metal container for heating.
Tankless Water Heaters: Tankless heaters do not store water but heat it in smaller quantities on demand.
Heat Pump Water Heaters: These use electricity to move heat from the air to the water to warm.
Solar Water Heaters: These use energy gathered from solar panels on your roof to heat water.
Thankfully, your water heater is one of the simpler systems in your home, and the homeowner can do most maintenance checks and minor fixes. While many small fixes can be done at home, we suggest calling a professional plumber for any serious repairs or concerns.
Every month or two, take a look at the state of your water heater. Be sure to look for leaks in the pipes or from the bottom of your heater, old gaskets that show signs of aging, loose or aged screws, and corrosion on any part of the heater or pipes. If you see anything abnormal on or around your heater, contact a professional plumbing company for a thorough inspection.
Over the course of the year, sediment will build up in your tank. This needs to be regularly flushed to maintain peak performance of your water heater. This can be done relatively easily with a few household items. First, connect a water hose to the drain valve on your tank. Turn the supply valve and drain the water into a bucket. Once empty, open the cold water supply for a few moments to clear out the remaining sediment. Continue flushing until the water runs clear, close the drain valve, disconnect the hose, and refill the tank.
Even at peak performance, your water will lose heat while in the heater, which can cost you extra money on utility bills. Insulating your tank can reduce these heating costs by as much as 9%. To insulate your tank, cut an insulation blanket to fit around your heater, cutting holes for pipes and valves. Wrap the blanket around the heater and secure it with foil tape. If you are unsure about doing this yourself, contact your local plumber for assistance.
Your heater’s anode rod prevents corrosion in your tank. It needs to be replaced every 3-5 years but depending on your water quality, you should check it yearly. The rod works by attracting corrosive metals in the water to itself instead of the tank. You’ll know it needs to be replaced when it is discolored and rusty.
On tankless water heaters, the air intake filter protects the unit by preventing dust and contaminants from entering. If the filter gets too dirty, the unit will overheat and shut down.
For regular maintenance, water heater installation and maintenance services, contact Core Plumbing. We are seasoned experts in water heater services for San Diego County, Orange County and Riverside County.