Keeping Your Water Heater Running Strong This Winter

Whenever new water flows into your water heater, gravity pulls sand and other minerals down to the bottom of the tank.

That sediment layer builds up and acts like insulation, blocking the heat from reaching the water.

That makes heating the water take longer, which needs more fuel.

Sediment also takes up a lot of space, which leaves less room for water. It’s almost like your tank shrinks and gives you less hot water.

But if you flush all that sediment out, you can solve most of those problems.

In fact, flushing your water heater on a regular schedule can even double its lifespan!

Your water heater has a safety device called a Temperature and Pressure relief valve that opens if the tank overheats or overpressurizes.

That way it can release that extra pressure and avoid exploding on you.

If the valve doesn't work right, the pressure builds up more and more — until something gives out.

That's why it's a good idea to check the T&P at least once each year. A plumber can give you a hand with this if you need it.

An anode rod is a sacrificial metal rod that sits inside your water heater to protect it from corrosive junk in your water.

It attracts those minerals, which stick to it and eat the rod away instead of the tank.

If your anode rod dissolves too much, the minerals will go back to attacking the tank.

That makes it important to check it every year to see if you need to replace it, even though it is a little trickier to get at.

Doing any one of the things listed above will help your water heater work better.

But the way to help it work its best is to do them all at least once a year.

You can try to do your regular maintenance yourself or you can call a licensed plumber to take care of it for you.

Either way, keeping on top of it can save you thousands and help you enjoy these cold days a lot more.