Many homeowners take water heater for granted but until it stops functioning. As soon as cold water reveals reality, either we immediately dial the helpline number of a plumber in Fort Worth, TX or we rush to purchase a new water heater. However, all of these efforts can easily be avoided if we ensure to maintain our water heater system in a scheduled manner.

As per the plumbers in Fort Worth, TX the maintenance of water heater is comparatively easy to overlook. This is because the unit has no moving components and the tank simply sits there without causing many problems. But if you look at the water heater system there are two major components which constantly disrupt the functionality of your water heater system. These attacking components are rust and sediment.

So what really causes rust in the water heater system?

Often times, steel tanks of water heaters are lined with a glass material to avoid rust. But this glass lining is not an ideal solution. The continuous temperature fluxes create minute openings. As the water starts to penetrate the lining, it causes the tank to get rusted. Similarly, many water heaters tend to form calcium carbonate, a limestone you may probably notice inside an old teapot. Once calcium carbonate is formed, it settles at the tank’s bottom. If you are using a gas water heater, this element gets so thick in nature that it starts reducing the efficiency of your water heater. But in the electric water heater, it becomes hard crust that makes the element useless.

That is why the plumber in Fort Worth, TX suggests the only way to maintain the functionality of your water heater and to increase its longevity is to carry out scheduled maintenance.

Ways to clean and drain the tank

It is important to drain the tank of your water heater at least once in a year. This helps in removing the collected sediment at the tank’s bottom. In order to drain the tank, you can carefully take the following steps.

  • Shut off electricity or gas to the water heater
  • Connect a garden hose with the drain valve at the tank’s bottom
  • Shut off the cold water valve at the tank’s top
  • Open the tank’s pressure relief valve and break the vacuum
  • Open the tanks drain valve and drain it.
  • Once finished simply reverse the whole process and avoid turning the electricity or gas on until the tank is fully refilled.

However, if you don’t have the basic understanding of the water heater or if you have never tried this method before, your best bet is to call the assistance of a professional plumber in Fort Worth, TX.

Change the anode rod

Another rarely done but crucial part of your water heater system is to replace the tank’s anode rod. The rod is suspended in the tank and made of aluminum or magnesium. It works like a magnet and attracts charged molecules of water that would attack a steel tank otherwise. So when you drain the tank every year, check anode rod and replace it if needed.

If you don’t check anode rod then you must know that this rod lasts around 10 years in the absence of a regular replacement. However, if you just clean them that this will help in increasing the longevity of the rod.

However take the assistance of a plumber in Fort Worth, TX as it is always better to leave the job to professionals. The method used by professional plumbers in Fort Worth, TX includes the following steps:

  • Shut off the tank’s cold water valve
  • Unscrew the nut located at the tank’s top that also suspends the anode rod
  • Clip the new rod, insert it into the tank and screw the nut
  • Now open the cold water valve and check

Testing the pressure release valve

Another major item to test during annual maintenance of your water heater is the pressure relief valve. It is located on the tank’s side and near the tank’s top. It is usually attached to a pipe that directs the wa