Water heaters often work perfectly for a decade or more without any care, so they’re easy to neglect. But a few minutes of water heater maintenance once a year pays off by extending the tank’s life span and maintaining your water heater’s efficiency and safety.
How do you maintain an electric water heater?
What regular maintenance should be done on a water heater?
- Test the TPR Valve. Ryan Benyi. Shut off the power and the cold-water supply valve. ...
- Check the Anode Rod. Ryan Benyi. ...
- Drain the Tank and Wash Out Sediment. Ryan Benyi. ...
- Adjust the Temperature. Ryan Benyi. ...
- Insulate the Pipes. Ryan Benyi. ...
- Insulate the Heater. Ryan Benyi.
Do you need to flush an electric water heater?
It is recommended that you flush your water heater at least once per year . Doing so will help to prevent the potential problems that sediment can bring over time.
How often does water heater need to be checked?
As a general rule of thumb, you should plan to check your water heater every two months to avoid serious issues such as leaks, pipe bursts, and other large plumbing problems.
How long do water heaters last?
How Long Do Water Heaters Last? Based on the manufacturer’s suggested service life, the life expectancy of a water heater is about eight to 12 years . That varies with the location and design of the unit, quality of installation, maintenance schedule and water quality.
How do I make my hot water heater last longer?
- Turn up the thermostat on the hot water heater. ...
- Use a low-flow shower head. ...
- Be conscious of other hot water in your home. ...
- Insulate the residential pipes. ...
- Inspect the heating elements. ...
- Service the hot water tank.
What is preventive maintenance on a hot water heater?
Those include checking and changing anodes, flushing sediment, testing and changing temperature/pressure relief valves and such. It used to be that preventive maintenance meant anodes and sediment.
What are signs that your hot water heater is going out?
- Decreased water temperature. If you like a nice hot shower in the morning, you’ll notice a drop in temperature. ...
- Discolored water. ...
- Water leaks around the tank. ...
- A noisy water heater. ...
- Your tank is getting old.
How long should an electric hot water heater last?
While today’s water heaters are better designed than older models, they still require regular maintenance in order to prolong their lives. With regular inspection, draining, and flushing, you can expect a gas water heater to last anywhere from 8-12 years and an electric water heater to last anywhere from 10-15 years .
Should I drain my water heater every year?
It’s generally a good idea to drain your water heater at least once a year , according to both BobVila.com and The Family Handyman. If you live in an area with hard water, though, Angie’s List says you may need to drain it more frequently.
How often should a hot water heater be replaced?
If your tank water heater is more than 10 years old, it may be time to consider replacing it. With proper maintenance, a tank water heater tank should last six to 12 years . A tankless water heater can last for more than 20 years. Check your water heater’s warranty for the most accurate timelines.
What happens if you don’t flush your water heater?
What happens if you don’t flush your water heater? The longer your water heater goes without a drain-and-flush, the more sediment and minerals will accumulate at the bottom of the tank . Eventually, this causes scaling.
How do you flush sediment out of an electric water heater?
- Turn the Water Heater Off. ...
- Turn the Cold Water Valve Off. ...
- Let the water cool. ...
- Attach a drain or garden hose to the drain valve on the side of the tank. ...
- Place the end of the hose in a bucket or drain. ...
- Turn on a faucet (or two) ...
- Start draining the tank by turning on the drain valve.
How much does it cost to flush a water heater?
What does it cost to flush a water heater? The cost of flushing a water heater can vary quite a lot depending on the area, the quality of the plumber, and the type of water heater. Generally, for most standard water heaters, a flush will cost between $80 and $100 .
What should you check on a water heater?
What should you check on a hot water heater?
- You don’t have enough hot water. ...
- You have varying water temperature issues. ...
- You have a leaking water heater. ...
- You notice reduced water flow. ...
- You’re hearing some concerning sounds. ...
- You have smelly or discolored water. ...
- Your water heater is on the older end of the spectrum.
How often should tankless water heaters be serviced?
It is best to get your hot water heater serviced at least once a year . If you are living in an area where you have hard water or you keep the water temperature set up high, Tankless Hot Water Heater Maintenance should be done twice a year.
Can a water heater last 20 years?
Tank water heaters will last an average of 8 to 12 years, while tankless water heaters can last even longer, up to 20 years . There are also electric and gas water heaters that will vary in lifespan, but in general gas ones last 8-12 years, while an electric heater could last upwards of 10-15 years.
Should I replace my 15 year old water heater?
Anyway, you should consider replacing your water heater if it’s about 6-12+ years old and when you start running out of hot water faster. However, age and lack of hot water aren’t everything. You could have a 15-year-old water heater that works just fine and wouldn’t need replacing .
What is the difference between 6 year and 12 year water heater?
If you were to buy a 12-year-warranty heater, likely the only difference between it and a 6-year-warranty one would be extra anodic metal : either a larger-diameter hex anode, or a normal one along with a half-length outlet rod in the hot port.
Why do I only get 10 minutes of hot water?
The water heater tank size is too small for your household . Your hot water heater is tankless. Sediment or minerals have built up in your water heating system. Individual parts inside the hot water heater unit are damaged or worn.
Why does my hot water only last 5 minutes?
If you’ve noticed that your hot water is suddenly turning cold after a very short amount of time, the most likely cause is a broken dip tube inside your hot water heater .
Why does my hot water not last as long as it used to?
Sediment is formed from loose minerals that are found naturally in water . When they settle at the bottom of the tank, it causes your tank to run out of hot water quickly. Sediment can be things such as sand, silt, or rust that take up space in your water tank. As a result, your hot water supply dwindles.
