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Simple Tips for Water Heater Maintenance
If you’ve ever cleaned a faucet aerator, found at the tip of your water faucet, you’ve seen a small sampling of sediment in your water. The majority of this sediment usually ends up in your water heater. Over time it can raise your energy bills and cause your water to not heat properly unless you flush out your heater once a year. You could hire a plumber or you can do it yourself!
See Ya, Sediment
First, if you have an electric water heater, shut off its power at the circuit breaker. If it’s gas, turn off the supply line. Then, close the cold water supply valve at the top of the unit.
Place a small bucket under the tube coming out of the pressure release valve and open it. One or two cups of water should flow out – if water doesn’t stop flowing, the pressure relief valve is defective and needs to be replaced. Leave the valve open and attach one end of a garden hose to the drain bib at the bottom of your water heater and the other end to a suitable drain or outside your home where water can drain safely. Let all of the water drain from your unit. Once the tank is empty, turn on the cold water supply valve for about a minute to allow any remaining sediment to flow out. When the water runs clear, close the bib valve, disconnect the garden hose and close the pressure release valve.
Turn On and Heat it Up
Turn On and Heat it Up
Now turn on the hot water tapof a bathroom faucet to relieve air pressure in the pipes while the water heater is refilling. Wait for air to stop blowing out of the faucet - when water starts coming out, you will know the tank is full. Once the tank is filled, you can turn off the faucet and flip the breaker on. For gas water heaters, be sure to follow the directions in your water heater manual for re-lighting.
This job only needs to be done once a year, but it’ll keep your energy bills lower while making sure you always have hot water.
