Water Heater Maintenance: Essential Tips for a Long-Lasting and Efficient System

Your water heater is an unsung home hero. It delivers hot water for showers, laundry, and cleaning—yet, it’s often overlooked until something goes wrong. With regular maintenance, you can extend its lifespan, lower energy costs, and reduce the chances of unexpected breakdowns.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• The basics of how it works
• Simple maintenance tasks you can do at home
• Signs that your water heater may need repair or replacement

Let’s dive in!

How Does a Water Heater Work?

Most residential water heaters hold between 40 to 60 gallons of water. They use gas or electricity to heat the water inside a steel tank. The key components include:

• Dip tube – Brings cold water into the tank.
• Heating elements or burner – Heats the water inside the tank.
• Thermostat – Controls the water temperature.
• Anode rod – Helps prevent corrosion inside the tank.
• Temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve – Releases excess pressure to prevent explosions.

Water heaters constantly heat and store water, so regular upkeep is essential to prevent issues like leaks, corrosion, and inefficiency.

Water Heater Maintenance Tips

Regular maintenance can keep your water heater running efficiently and prevent costly repairs. Here are some easy DIY maintenance tips.

1. Flush Your Water Heater Regularly

Over time, sediment and mineral deposits accumulate at the bottom of the tank. This buildup can reduce efficiency and lead to corrosion. Flushing your water heater once or twice a year helps prevent this problem.

How to flush your water heater:

1. Turn off the power or gas supply.
2. Attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.
3. Open the valve and let the water drain into a bucket or floor drain.
4. Once empty, turn the cold water supply back on for a minute to flush out any remaining debris.
5. Close the valve, remove the hose, and restore power.

This simple step can improve efficiency and extend the lifespan of your water heater.

2. Check the Temperature and Pressure Relief Valve

The TPR valve prevents dangerous pressure buildup inside the tank. It should be tested at least once a year to ensure it’s working properly.

How to test the TPR valve:

1. Place a bucket under the discharge pipe.
2. Lift the valve’s lever—water should flow out.
3. Release the lever—the water should stop.

If water continues to leak, the valve needs to be replaced. A malfunctioning TPR valve can lead to serious safety hazards, so don’t ignore this step!

3. Insulate the Tank and Pipes

Adding insulation reduces heat loss, improving efficiency and lowering energy bills.

How to insulate your water heater:

• Wrap an insulating blanket around the tank (check your manual to ensure compatibility).
• Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot water pipe and 3 feet of the cold water pipe.
• Avoid covering the thermostat or burner access panel.

Proper insulation can reduce standby heat loss and help your water heater work more efficiently.

4. Adjust the Water Temperature

Most water heaters are set to 140°F by default, but lowering it to 120°F can reduce energy consumption and prevent scalding injuries.

How to adjust the temperature:

• Locate the thermostat dial on the tank.
• Use a screwdriver to turn it down to 120°F.
• Wait a few hours, then test the water temperature at a tap.

If you have young children at home, keeping the temperature at 120°F helps prevent accidental burns.

5. Inspect the Anode Rod

The anode rod is a metal rod inside the tank that attracts corrosion, preventing rust from eating away at the steel tank. Over time, the rod deteriorates and needs to be replaced.

How to check the anode rod:

1. Turn off the power and water supply.
2. Drain a few gallons of water from the tank.
3. Unscrew the anode rod from the top of the tank.
4. If it’s heavily corroded, replace it with a new one.

Checking the anode rod once a year can significantly extend the life of your water heater.

Signs Your Water Heater Needs Repair or Replacement

Even with proper maintenance, water heaters don’t last forever. Most units last 8 to 12 years before needing replacement. Here are some warning signs that your water heater may need repair or replacement.

Signs You Need a Repair

• Not enough hot water – This could indicate sediment buildup or a faulty thermostat.
• Strange noises – Popping or rumbling sounds may signal sediment buildup.
• Water leaks around connections – Loose fittings may need tightening.

Signs It’s Time for a Replacement

• Severe leaks from the tank itself – This usually means the tank is corroded beyond repair.
• Rusty or discolored water – This could indicate internal rusting.
• Frequent repairs – If your unit constantly needs fixing, a replacement may be more cost-effective.

If your water heater is over 10 years old and showing signs of failure, replacing it with a newer, energy-efficient model may save you money in the long run.

Final Thoughts

Your water heater works hard every day, and a little maintenance goes a long way in keeping it efficient and reliable. By following these simple tips—flushing the tank, testing the TPR valve, adjusting the temperature, insulating the tank, and inspecting the anode rod—you can extend your water heater’s lifespan and avoid costly repairs.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber 

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any plumbing, drain cleaning, water damage, or excavation service. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.