Important Tips That Will Help Extend the Life of Your Water Heater | Water Heater Repair in Fort Worth, TX
Your water heater is used extensively by your family every day, which is why you should ensure that you provide it with regular maintenance. With regular maintenance you will also not have to worry about water heater repair in Fort Worth, TX as you will manage to prolong its service life. You will also not have to worry about plumbing problems that can arise when you neglect its maintenance.
To ensure that you don’t have to worry about water heater problems, we are going to provide you with some basic tips for maintaining and protecting your water heater. Getting in touch with a reliable and reputable water heater maintenance company will also allow you to deal with most of its problems. Here are some of the most important tips that will help extend the life of your water heater:
1. Check the Pressure Valve
Irrespective of what type of water heater you have, it is going to have a safety feature, which is known as the temperature pressure relief valve. When heat builds up or there is too much pressure, this valve is going to open to prevent dangerous explosions and damage to the unit. This valve can malfunction when too much sediment or residue builds up and blocks the opening of the valve.
If you want to avoid water heater repair in Fort Worth, TX it is imperative that you keep checking this valve over the years to ensure it’s performing at optimal levels. You can easily do this by turning off the electricity or gas of the unit, and then opening and closing the valve. A valve that is functioning properly will release water when it is opened, so you should monitor the water flow coming from the drainpipe.
If water isn’t released, then it is time you bought a new TPR valve. The cost of water heater maintenance is lower than having to buy a completely new unit, which is why you should ensure proper maintenance.
2. Hot Water Heater Maintenance Flush
As time passes, your water heater tank is going to buildup sediment, which is common when you have hard water. If you let these particles sit at the bottom of your tank, they can cause a lot of damage, because thick sediment layers make your water heater work harder to heat up water. The tank walls will also start to corrode due to the sediment, which will result in leaks.
You can prevent sediment buildup in your hot water heater tank by flushing it out every year. You can do this by draining the water from the tank, and prevent any water heater repair in Fort Worth, TX. To do this you must shut off the electricity or gas first, and then attach a garden hose to drain the valve.
After that you should shut down the supply of cold water to the tank and turn on hot water faucets in the home. Leave the drain valve open so that the tank can empty. When water first starts to flow from the tank, it will be discolored and gooey, but will start clearing up once the sediment leaves.
If valve is clogged by the sediment, you should turn on the cold water in short spurts and close the drain valve after the hot water has drained away. You should keep repeating this process until the water becomes clear. Once that happens you should close the drain valve, turn on the cold water and remove the hose. As the tank starts to fill, the water will come out of the hot water faucets, and you can then turn on the electricity or gas as you’ll know there is no sediment in your water tank and you don’t need to get water heater repair in Fort Worth, TX.
3. Water Heater Maintenance: Anode Rod
Water heater tanks have metal rods that will attract minerals. These minerals can turn into sediment and start to corrode the water tank lining. The rods protect the water heater tank by attracting these minerals and not letting them deposit in the tank. You will need to get water heater repair in Fort Worth, TX when this rod wears out.
The minerals in the tank, will also cause it to start leaking and rusting, which is why the anode rod should be inspected every year, and replaced after every 3 to 5 years if you want to extend the life of your water heater. When you’re inspecting the rod, you should turn off the electricity and gas on the unit and drain some water so that you can check for rust in the tank. If you can see large parts of the core wire, or if the rod has a lot of deposit on it, then you should replace it.
Practicing regular maintenance on your water heater tank will ensure that there are no dangerous accidents, and you get a constant supply of hot water in your home. It will also ensure that you don’t need to acquire water heater repair in Fort Worth, TX. If you suspect that you water heater tank has sustained damaged, you should always get in touch with a professional water heater maintenance company to get it checked.
4. Practice Regular Water Heater Maintenance
If you’re consistent with your water heater maintenance, you wouldn’t need to worry about water heater repairs in Fort Worth, TX. Therefore, it is important that you set up a water heater maintenance schedule that you follow to ensure that your unit is working for the best part of 15 years and more. The ideal water heater maintenance schedule should be as follows:
- Test the temperature relief valve every year
- Flush the water heater after 4 months
- Clean the water tank every year
- Replace the anode rod after 2 to 5 years
- Check the burner every year for gas water heaters
If you want a more comprehensive water heater maintenance schedule, you should checkout the website of your water heater manufacturer to get a good idea.
5. Get in Touch with a Local Water Heater Maintenance Company
When it comes to water maintenance, you shouldn’t do it by yourself. If you’re struggling to fix a major problem with your water heater unit, or if you’re not comfortable performing the tasks to maintain your water heater, you should get in touch with your local water heater maintenance company.
If you’re looking for water heater maintenance or water heater repairs in Fort Worth, TX get in touch with Benjamin Franklin Fort Worth today. We have professional technicians who can provide you with water heater repair and maintenance services at affordable rates. Visit our website or call us at 817-983-7876 to find out more today.
