Winter can put a strain on your hot water heater, so it’s important to know how to take care of your system during this time of year. If you’ve ever known the betrayal of a cold shower or struggled waiting for hot water to heat up in the sink, then you could benefit from these winter water heater maintenance tips that will help you avoid breakdowns and urgent repairs.
Schedule an Inspection
The easiest way to catch warning signs or problems with your water heater is to let a professional do their job. Inspections from experts can spot things that homeowners are inclined to overlook. What’s more, they can make small adjustments to your system that can stop it from experiencing mechanical failures out of the blue. Annual water heater inspections will help keep your system running well and spare you the hassle of going without hot water.
Know Your Heater’s Limits
Water heaters all have a maximum hot water capacity, so you have to plan ahead when you intend to consume a lot of hot water at once. During the winter, when we spend more time indoors and often have guests over, water consumption rises. This can overwhelm a water heater and cause it to run much more than usual.
Take a look at your water heater’s manual. It’s a treasure trove of great information about your system, its limits and the best way to care for it. If you haven’t the faintest idea where that manual may be, consider asking a professional to inspect your system, give you the model number and offer personalized suggestions.
Have Your Tank Flushed
Water heater tank flushes remove built-up sediment from the base, which can lead to corrosion and cause blockages that prevent hot water from reaching your faucets. Experts recommend at least one annual flush, but some homes may need two if they have hard water. Remember, a clean water tank is a healthy water tank. Routine flushes can also prevent common water heater issues that lead to more frequent repairs.
Insulate Your Water Heater Tank
Imagine wrapping your water heater in a cozy, warm blanket. That’s what insulation does. All the heat inside the tank gets held inside, reducing the need for your system to work harder to heat water in colder temperatures. You can easily insulate a water heater by buying a tank cover online. If you prefer, you can have a professional insulate your water heater for you. Either way, this is a simple investment that’s affordable and effective.
Check Your Thermostat
Turning up the hot water thermostat during the winter doesn’t necessarily make it work better. The max setting should be 120 degrees to prevent wearing out the heating elements or risking scalding and water burns. If you notice issues with your water temperature, contact a professional plumber for an inspection.
If you need winter water heater services, the team at JW’s in Indianapolis, IN is always here to help, so give us a call.
