As fall settles in and winter is a couple of months away, it’s important to ensure that your water heater is ready for the months ahead! Completing these water heater maintenance checks can ensure you’re satisfied with your hot water supply as the temperature drops outside. These tips mainly apply to storage water heater maintenance, but you might pick up some useful knowledge even if you have a tankless water heater.

Flushing Out the Tank

It’s best to empty the water tank and clean it out at least once a year. Doing so allows you to clean out any sediment that may have accumulated in the tank. You’ll want to do this during the fall, as most households tend to use more hot water in the upcoming colder months. Leaving excessive sediment to collect in the tank can cause corrosion.

Replace Anode Rod

Anode rods are made of magnesium, zinc or aluminum around a steel core. These rods are temporary but play a crucial role in preventing the water tank from rusting. In general, the anode rod is meant to react and corrode in place of the metal within the water storage tank. Therefore, if you inspect the anode rod and it’s very corroded, you should replace it to prevent damage to the tank. Anode rods can actually last for three to five years before needing a replacement, but it could be sooner depending on several factors. It’s a good practice to check it every few months as part of water heater maintenance.

Turning Up the Water Temperature

When the outdoor temperatures drop, your water heater may not be able to make up the difference in temperature with how hot you currently have the settings at. After all, the heated water will need to travel through the pipes before reaching your sink or shower. To compensate, you may need to increase the water heater’s temperature by a few degrees in order to experience sufficiently heated water.

If you have any questions or need help preparing your home for fall, give us a call at 1-800-989-0299. We’re here 24/7 for all your plumbing and HVAC needs.