Your water heater is one of the more important systems that work within your home. Through it, you can have invigoratingly warm water to energize you in the mornings and running water for those cold winter days. A majority of New Jersey households have one of the two types of heaters and maintaining them is essential for surviving in the colder months.

On a regular basis, you might not think about the efficiency of your water heater. They typically last you a long time—with a service life of around 8 – 12 years—and repairs are very rarely needed. Despite this, however, doing some simple maintenance procedures can prolong its life and assure efficiency—as broken water heaters can become too costly and will definitely incur heightened repair costs.

Water Heater Maintenance Methods

To help you in this regard, here are three basic water heater maintenance methods you should do regularly. While having a professional handle the plumbing maintenance is your best choice, these simple procedures can be done by anyone using only a bucket and a screwdriver.

CAUTION: Take note that prior to doing ANY of these, you should first turn off the power source of your water heater. For electric water heaters, you will need to switch off the circuit breaker for it. For gas-powered ones, you will need to turn the pilot knob to the OFF position.

Temperature Checks

A majority of water heater’s factory settings are pre-set to 130 – 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which can provide adequate heat, but can be on the expensive range. Turning the heat down to about 120 degrees can be an energy-saving tactic while still maintaining a comfortable warmth.

Aside from saving energy, fluctuations in temperature can be a sign that your water heater either has a leak or the temp control is busted. As such, you will need the help of a professional plumbing repair to take a look at it.

Tank Flushing

The tank of your water heater is a crucial component which is why cleaning it out often can help in the proper performance of your water heater. As time passes by, sediments and debris can pile up underneath, which is where doing a mini-flush can save your water tank from needing a replacement.

Simply place a bucket directly underneath the drain valve and loosen the valve to let the water be released. Be careful, as the water being expelled will be scalding hot—so make sure you aren’t in the way of the exit spout.

T&P Valve Check

Your tank builds up a lot of pressure inside of it, and the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve is what prevents it from blowing up. Checking this is crucial to ensure the safety of the people in your building.

To perform the check, simply locate the T&P valve and place a bucket at the end of the discharge tube. Manually open the valve and let the water flow for a few seconds, after which you let the valve automatically shut. If the water does not go out of the discharge or if there is a minor leak after the valve shuts, then contact a 24-hour emergency plumbing service immediately.

Conclusion

Your water heater isn’t just crucial for its capability of regulating the temperature of your water, but its proper running also assures the safety of the people using it. By doing these three simple maintenance procedures, you can prolong its service life while also giving you an idea of whether to contact a plumber immediately.

Are you looking for your to-go plumber in Hackensack, New Jersey? At Eco-Plumbing HVAC, we provide 24-Hour Emergency Plumbing Services for any plumbing need. Get in touch with us!