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The importance of a properly working water heater is often understated. The water heater, though, has a big impact on the comfort of everyone in the home, including providing for hot showers, hot water to wash dishes, and even doing laundry. It is crucial for the homeowner to provide proper maintenance for the water heater to ensure it is working and will not break down when you need it the most.
- Check the thermostat: Make sure that the thermostat is set to 120 degrees. If you’re not going to be home, you can lower the temperature a bit to save energy. You can also reduce the risk of the water being too hot and potentially burning your skin.
- Drain some of the water in the tank: This should be done a couple of times each year in order to remove some of the sediment that can build up in the tank. Turn the cold water supply off, connect a hose to the drain valve, and run the water into a bucket until it comes out clear. Any cloudy water can mean sediment is still present.
- Examine the anode rod: By doing this, you can determine if the rod needs to be replaced. This is necessary when the rod is less than 1/2” thick, coated in calcium, or if more than 6” of the wire is exposed.
- Install insulation on older units: Take the time to insulate older water heaters to increase the efficiency. The insulation should avoid the pipes, flue, or other valves. Hot and cold water pipes can also be insulated.
If you need help with water heater maintenance, it is important to speak with a Denver plumber who can help you. Our team at Mr. Rooter® of Denver and Northern Colorado can help customers get the services they need to ensure their water heater runs efficiently and avoids serious problems down the road.
Call us today to schedule your service.