8 Ways to Make Your Water Heater Last Longer
Replacing your water heater isn’t cheap. So whether yours is brand new or a few years old, you’ll want to ensure it’s going to be a good long time before you have to fork out for a replacement.
The good news is, you can reasonably expect your water heater to last a decade without any issues. The better news is that with a bit of loving care — and a few strategic maintenance practices — you can seriously increase the life span of your water heater.
How to make your water heater last longer
1 - Keep your water heater clear of clutter
The area where your water heater is installed is going to feel pretty cozy, so it’s tempting to use it as a storage area for towels, bedding, and other household objects. While there’s nothing wrong with this, it’s important you don’t crowd your water heater.
Not only do you want the area clear for you (or a professional Maple Grove plumber) to carry out maintenance and service checks, you want to ensure a steady flow of air around the water heater to improve its performance and to prevent fires. So make sure those towels are stored well out of the way of the actual heater.
2 - Insulate your water heater
It’s a good idea to insulate the cold and hot water pipes as well as the water heater tank itself. This stops pipes from sweating and causing condensation during the warmer months and can seriously improve your water heater’s efficiency too.
3 - Choose the right temperature
You’ll generally only have to set the temperature of your water heater once but if you’re going on a lengthy vacation, you can adjust the temperature to the lowest setting before you go.
This is an easy job: unscrew the temperature dial cover on the side of the tank and then use your screwdriver to adjust the temperature to the new setting. If you have a gas heater, use the valve situated on the outside of the tank — some tanks will have a vacation mode option that will keep the pilot lit and nothing more.
4 - Install a water softener
If the water in your area has a high mineral content (also known as hard water), installing a water softener could help your water heater last longer by reducing the mineral build-up on the element and in the tank which could cause problems further down the line.
5 - Flush the water tank
This is an annual water heater maintenance practice recommended by the majority of water heater manufacturers to clear the natural build-up of dirt and debris in the hot water tank. And luckily it’s pretty simple to do.
You’ll find instructions on how to do this for your specific model of water heater in the user manual (or online if you don’t have the manual) but it’s going to look something like this —
Turn off the power and the water supply to the heater before turning on a faucet and letting the hot water run until there is none left. It’s also a good idea to drain some of the water out of the drain valve (you’ll find that at the bottom of the tank).
Note: If you have a self-cleaning model, be aware that it’s still a good idea to do an annual flush just to be sure it’s really clean.
6 - Check the anode rod
The annual draining is also a good time to check the anode rod — the metal rod that hangs in the tank to prevent rusting and corrosion. This is one of the most essential components of your system and typically has a shorter life span than the heater itself, so it’s important to check whether it’s still in good condition.
A visual inspection where you look for signs of rust or corrosion is a good place to start and you can also collect samples of hot and cold water in a glass to check for rust and sediment.
Flushing and draining your water heater once a year (you could even do it twice a year for extra brownie points) is an excellent way to prevent rusting and corrosion of the anode rod but don’t worry if yours does need replacing — rods themselves are inexpensive and replacing them isn’t a huge job for a professional plumber. We wouldn’t recommend replacing the anode rod yourself though as it’s too complex a job for anyone without plumbing experience.
7 - Check the pressure-relief valve.
The pressure-relief valve does exactly as the name suggests — it opens automatically to release excess pressure in the tank and is an important safety feature.
Test it by placing a bucket under the discharge pipe on the tank and then lifting the lever of the pressure-relief valve. A healthy, working valve will release water when you lift the lever so if this doesn’t happen it’s a sure sign it’s time to replace it.
8 - Regular maintenance checks by a professional plumber
As satisfying as it is to DIY your water heater maintenance, it’s worth scheduling regular maintenance checks with a professional Maple Grove plumber.
Not only will doing so keep your warranty valid (most manufacturers’ warranties require an annual check carried out by a pro), an experienced plumber is trained to spot any early warning signs that you might miss — which means problems can be fixed quickly and cheaply before they turn into an expensive headache.
In general, water heaters are pretty low key — they’ll happily spend years just ticking along without you so much as looking at them. But don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security (after all, major repairs and replacements are expensive). With a little regular TLC, your water heater will serve you well, ensuring you get your money’s worth — and plenty of lovely hot showers too.
If you think you might struggle with any of these tips, you don’t have time to conduct regular electric water heater maintenance, you’re due an annual maintenance check, or you need help with gas water heater repair, give us a call. As a local, family-owned business with over 40 years of experience, we offer affordable plumbing services in Edina, Bloomington, Maple Grove, and Minnetonka.
Schedule your Maple Grove water heater maintenance check today!
Contact our office today to get a free phone estimate and set up an appointment for your electric or gas water heater needs.
