Water  Heater  Maintenance  Tips  for  Fall  

October  23,  2015/in  Plumbing  /by  Pauls  Plumbing    Water  heaters  are  one  of  those  home  appliances  that  you  set  and  then  forget…  until,  of  course,  you  turn  on  the  faucet  or  shower  and  all  you  get  are  sprays  of  really  cold  water.  You  can  avoid  this  kind  of  icy  surprise  with  a  little  water  heater  maintenance.  It’s  best  to  do  it  during  the  fall,  before  winter  arrives,  because  you  can  bet  your  water  heater  will  be  working  extra  hard  once  the  real  cold  sets  in.    As  expert  Reno  plumbers,  we’ve  been  called  in  for  jobs  involving  malfunctioning  water  heaters  only  to  find  that  they  could  have  been  prevented      with  seasonal  plumbing  maintenance  and  inspection.  By  following  these  simple  tips,  you  not  only  save  yourself  from  headaches  and  unexpected  expenses,  you  also  prolong  the  service  life  of  your  water  heater.    

• Set  the  water  heater  temperature  between  115F  and  120F.  The  default  setting  from  most  manufacturers  is  140F,  but  the  Department  of  Energy  recommends  120F.  What’s  the  benefit?  For  one  thing,  this  temperature  setting  makes  for  safe,  comfortable  water  heating.  For  another,  it  prevents  the  water  tank  from  overheating.  It  also  helps  save  energy,  about  6  to  10%!  

 • Check  and  test  the  pressure  relief  valve.  Both  gas  and  electric  water  

heaters  are  equipped  with  a  pressure  relief  valve.  It’s  a  critical  safety  feature  that  releases  pressure  should  a  water  tank  over-­‐pressurize.  To  check  the  valve,  first  you  have  to  turn  off  the  gas  (or  cut  its  electricity,  if  it’s  an  electric  one)  then  shut  off  the  cold  water  running  to  the  water  heater.  Place  a  bucket  underneath  the  discharge  tube  and  pull  the  trip  lever.  If  the  valve  is  functioning  properly,  it  will  release  some  water  and  vapor.  If  this  doesn’t  happen,  it’s  best  to  contact  Paul’s  Plumbing  in  Reno  to  have  the  valve  replaced.  

 

• Flush  the  tank.  Make  sure  to  remove  the  sediment  that  has  collected  in  the  water  tank.  Built-­‐up  sediment  can  cause  clogging,  leaks,  or  rust,  all  of  which  reduces  the  water  heater’s  efficiency.  To  flush  the  tank,  turn  off  the  gas  or  electricity  and  the  cold  water  running  to  it.  Connect  a  garden  hose  to  the  tank’s  drain  valve  and  place  the  end  of  the  hose  in  a  bucket.  Open  the  pressure  relief  valve  and  the  drain  valve  to  empty  the  water  tank.  Once  the  tank  has  been  drained,  close  the  drain  valve,  disconnect  the  hose,  and  close  the  pressure  relief  valve.  Turn  the  water  supply  back  on  to  refill  the  tank,  followed  by  the  water  heater’s  gas  or  electricity.  

And  that’s  it  –  three  simple  steps  to  ensure  your  water  heater  functions  properly  throughout  fall  and  winter!  Think  you’d  much  rather  let  the  pros  do  the  inspection  and  maintenance  of  your  water  heater?  Our  Reno  plumbers  are  ready  to  help!  Contact  Paul’s  Plumbing  today  to  schedule  your  appointment.