Just like any other furniture, fixture, or appliance you have at home, your water heater needs routine maintenance to keep it running efficiently and make it last longer. However, it may require a little more effort than the rest of your household implements, as the minerals and other deposits caught along the flow of water can easily accumulate in the tanks.
When these do, your water heater will have to work harder to keep the water flowing to your home nice and warm. If left unaddressed, this could seriously damage your heater, leading to higher energy bills and even costly repairs.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to save yourself from such an unpleasant experience. In the sections below, you will find four practical tips to follow to keep your water heater in perfect shape.
1. Monitor the Temperature
Your water heater is made to ensure your home is supplied with hot water on demand. It should be effective and able to answer your needs while keeping you in good health. One important note to remember is that the water kept in storage for your hot water system should be relatively hot—at a minimum of 60°C—to inhibit tank growth of Legionella, which is a bacterium that could cause Legionnaires disease.
The water flowing out of your faucet should be at a lower temperature—usually between 45 to 50°C—to ensure it can be safely used without causing injury. Tempering valves are installed on the water pipe feeding areas of your home, which keep your hot water temperature consistent and compliant with the Australian Standards (AS3500).
2. Flush the Tank Regularly
It is recommended that you fully flush the system once or twice a year or when you change out the anode rod. Doing so prevents the minerals from building up and causing bigger problems in the future.
However, if you do have hard water, you may need to get a more thorough water heater service to clean out your unit more often.
3. Examine the Anode Rod for Signs of Damage
Your water heater, just like any other metal out there, is prone to rust and corrosion. This is where the anode rods enter the picture.
Basically, these are long metal rods, covered with magnesium, aluminium, or zinc, that are placed on top of the tank. These are meant to attract corrosive materials and “sacrifice” itself by rusting faster than the metal tank.
You should take note that these are not meant for long-term use. Once the rod has been fully corroded, your tank will start rusting, too. Considering this, it’s a smart practice to regularly check the rod for damage. After all, buying a new rod is much cheaper than buying a new water heater, so stay vigilant regarding this aspect of your heater!
4. Examine the Valve
Another thing you should look into is your pressure relief valve. This is a type of safety valve that is meant to control the pressure in a system. If the pressure or temperature rises to dangerously high levels inside your tank, it automatically opens to prevent serious problems such as equipment failure or even fire.
However, mineral buildup and corrosion can also get to this valve, causing it to be stubborn and refusing to open. To avoid any untoward accident, you must check if your valves are still working properly; otherwise, it’s time to have them replaced.
Conclusion
Don’t wait until you are experiencing obvious signs of water heater malfunction. Make it a habit to regularly check each part of your system and follow the tips we shared above to keep your heater in the best shape.
If you are not quite confident that you can handle maintenance on your own, then hiring a professional plumber is your best option. They will be able to cover all the important details and make sure that your heater will run smoothly all year long.
If you need to install a water heater in Byron Bay, it’s best to enlist professional water heater installation services. Fantastic Plumbing has over two decades of experience in plumbing works, and we can handle all types of jobs, whether that’s installation or repair! Get in touch with us and we’ll be there to help you out.
