The life of your water heater depends on a number of factors. If you are not taking steps to maintain it, you could experience much higher repair costs in the future. There are many things that can be done to ensure that your appliance continues working for years to come. Here are some tips for extending the life of your water heater:
Check For A Pressure And Temperature Relief Valve
You should also check that your pressure and temperature relief valve is working properly. If it isn’t, this can cause major damage to the water heater and even the risk of an explosion. To check its functionality, look for signs of burning around the valve or leaking at the bottom when you open it. If there is any damage or corrosion on your relief valve, you’ll need to replace it immediately.
The good news is these valves are relatively easy to replace yourself. When replacing new ones, ensure they are correctly aligned with pipes and flanges before tightening them up with another wrench.
Ensure That There Is Adequate Drainage
Ensure that there is adequate drainage. A water heater should drain into a sewer or septic system. The drain pipe should be within three feet of the water heater and slope toward the drain. This can be achieved by using a drain pan that fits snugly under your water heater or with a short length of PVC pipe attached to your cold-water supply line and extended through your basement floor (or wherever else you may want to direct it).
Insulate The Tank
The most important thing you can do to extend the life of your water heater is to insulate the tank from freezing and overheating, both of which can damage it permanently. If your home has been unoccupied for an extended period, you should turn off the power to your water heater until you return. This will prevent damage due to freezing.
If there are any leaks within or around your water heater’s pipes or tank, they must be repaired immediately. Leaks can cause permanent damage that increases costs down the road, decreases efficiency, and poses serious safety risks if left unattended.
Keep The Area Around The Water Heater Clean
The first thing you need to do is keep the area around your water heater clean. The best way to do this is with a vacuum cleaner and some elbow grease. Cleaning up any debris or flammable materials that might be in the area will help prevent fires from starting near your water heater.
If there are exposed electrical wires nearby that aren’t properly covered by insulation or conduit pipe, those should also be fixed as soon as possible, so they don’t pose a danger of sparking and igniting an accidental fire.
Don’t Ignore Signs Of Corrosion
Corrosion can damage your water heater and shorten its life. Signs of corrosion include rust, pitting, pinholes, and leaks. If you suspect your water heater is starting to corrode, have a professional inspect it immediately. It’s usually possible to fix minor corrosion before it turns into a major problem—but if you can’t fix the corrosion yourself or the cost of fixing it is too high, replace your water heater instead.
It’s very important to get this done quickly because small problems can turn into serious ones if left unchecked for too long: if there is any sign of moisture or rust around your hot water tank’s exterior—or even just in one section of pipe inside the tank—you should call in an expert immediately or replace water heater.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many ways to extend the life of your water heater. By following these tips, you’ll be able to ensure that it’s working properly for years to come.
