Is Hot Water Heater Maintenance Necessary?

Summer is over and autumn is in full swing. The leaves are changing color, stores are preparing for the Christmas shopping season, and the weather is getting colder. Now is the time to make sure your hot water heater is ready for the winter weather because the last thing you and your family want during the cold months is a hot water heater that doesn’t produce hot water.

The Importance of Hot Water Heater Winter Maintenance

There are many appliances and other items that you use on a daily basis which are in need of regular maintenance and winterization. Depending on where you live, your car may need snow tires. Your air conditioning unit may need to be switched over to its heating mode. And your hot water heater needs to be prepped for the colder weather so that it is still able to give you the nice hot water you want when the temperatures drop lower and lower.

During the winter months, issues with your hot water heater can be costly and significant. You may not have hot water, but a burst pipe can also lead to rot, structural damage, and flooding. All problems you don’t want to deal with regardless of the season, but especially during the winter. Having regular maintenance done on your hot water heater helps prevent these types of repair issues and can give you peace of mind during the cold season.

5 Tips for Winter Water Heater Maintenance

At JBK Plumbers, our hot water heater professionals have the knowledge, skills, and experience to properly service your heater and keep it in top working condition. When we winterize your hot water heater, our maintenance experts do the following:

• Insulate your pipes: Insulating your pipes helps to prevent them from freezing which could lead to bursting. It also helps the appliance actually heat the water faster during the colder months which conserves water and saves money.
• Flush your system: We recommend that your unit should be flushed out at least once per year. This helps clear out the built-up sediment and keeps the heater working properly for years to come.
• Check the pressure relief valve: The valve prevents the hot water heater from becoming over pressurized by releasing excess pressure. If the valve does not snap back into place immediately after being released or it leaks, there may be a problem.
• Check the anode rod: In order to prevent minerals and other sediments from corroding the unit, the anode rod collects them. This can lead to the rod eventually becoming corroded itself. If that’s the case or it is covered in calcium, it likely needs to be replaced.
• Make sure there’s enough space: The water heater is generally in a room that gets used for storage. That is fine as long as there is at least 2 feet of space between the hot water heater and your stored items to keep everything safe and your unit if proper working order.

Contact Our Hot Water Heater Experts

The winter months are coming, so it is time to check your hot water heater and make sure it is ready for the cold season. JBK Plumbers has been providing honest reliable and affordable plumbing services for your home for over 20 years. Contact us to get a free quote to fix your plumbing problem today!