Tips for Extending the Lifespan of Your Water Heater

As a homeowner, you want to do everything you can to keep all parts of your house running smoothly for as long as possible. Your water heater is one household appliance that you depend on heavily—every day! Did you know that the average lifespan of a water heater is only 8 to 12 years? But with proper care and maintenance, your water heater can last much longer. 

Here are some tips from the professionals at Home Saving Inc. to help take care of your water heater. 

Perform a Visual Inspection

The first tip is to perform a visual inspection of your water heater regularly. You should be looking for any signs of corrosion on the tank. If you do see any corrosion, it’s best to call a professional right away to take a look and determine whether the tank needs to be replaced. 

Check the Water Pressure

Your second line of defence against early death for your water heater is to check the pressure of the incoming water regularly. The ideal range is between 40 and 60 psi. If it’s higher than that, you can install a pressure-reducing valve. And if it’s lower, have a professional determine the cause so it can be fixed before further damage is done to your water heater or other parts of your plumbing system.

Inspect the Relief Valve

Another important component to inspect on your water heater is the relief valve. This valve is a safety feature that releases excess pressure from inside the tank. It’s vital that this valve is working properly at all times because if too much pressure builds up inside the tank, it could explode. To test whether or not the valve is working properly, lift up the lever and let go. There should be a sudden hissing noise as water spurts out of the discharge tube. If there’s no noise or water spurting out, call a professional—the valve needs to be replaced right away.

Drain the Tank at Least Twice a Year

One simple way that you can prolong the life of your water heater is by draining it at least twice per year (more often if there’s sediment in your area). All you have to do is attach a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and direct it into a floor drain or outside. Once you’ve done that, turn off the power to the unit and open up both hot-water faucets in your home until they sputter and spit out air. Next, open up the drain valve and allow two or three gallons of water to flow out until it runs clear; then close it again. Finally, turn the power back on and open up the faucets until the flow returns to normal.   

Schedule Regular Professional Maintenance

In addition to taking these steps yourself, it’s also important that you schedule professional maintenance for your water heater every year. A trained technician will be able to inspect not just your water heater but also other important parts of your plumbing system like pipes and fittings for any potential issues.

Book Your Appointment Today

By following these simple tips and scheduling annual maintenance, you can extend the lifespan and avoid costly water heater repairs down the road. At Home Saving Inc., we have a team of experienced technicians who are experts in all types of water heaters, so you can be confident that your unit will be installed or repaired correctly.

Whether you need a new water heater installation or just a simple repair, we're here to help. To get started, you can reach us online or by giving us a call at 647-800-7796.