Seven simple ways to maintain a hot water system

One of the best ways to add value to your home is to purchase a new hot water heater. Additionally, if you have recently purchased a new hot water heater, the best way to extend its life and maximize the return on your investment is to maintain it using a variety of easy methods capable of adding four to six years of life to your heater.

1. Listen to it

This might sound like an odd strategy of maintaining your water heater, but a system that is running efficiently makes no sounds. If you have a gas heater, you should only hear the sound of the pilot flame. However, if you hear gurgling or clunking coming from within the tank, it means you have sediment building up. Sediment gathers in your water heater as a result of the impurities in the water collecting at the tank's bottom. Over time, these sediments can harden into a sheet. As your water heater fills and empties during daily use, this hardening sediment can clunk around in the tank.

2. Drain regularly

Draining 25 percent of your water might seem like a waste, but this simple activity can help get rid of small amounts of sediment and keep it from hardening into thick chunks. Additionally, as you drain the water, you can inspect the water's clarity. Water emerging from your heater should be crystal clear. Any red or brown cloudiness can indicate rust. If you have rust in your water heater, you should replace it. Rust in your water can collect in your pipes throughout your house, and it can lead to impurities in your drinking water. Additionally, if you ignore this problem, the water heater can eventually leak or even fail altogether, sending gallons of water into your basement.

3. Pre-heater filtering

Many people simply hook the water inlet directly to the water heater. However, if you connect a filter to the incoming water line and run the filtered water to your water heater, you reduce dramatically the amount of sediment or impurities that can enter your water heater. Consequently, your heater will not collect sediment, and it will last much longer. Of course, you will have to change your filter according to the user's guide, but this simple strategy ensures your hot water is pure, clean, and harmless to you and your water heater.

4. Regular inspections

Many plumbers offer service subscriptions that ensure scheduled visits to your home. Because professional plumbers can inspect your water heater and make any repairs to valves, you are much more likely to catch a problem before it becomes something that could wreck your water heater. Additionally, a plumber can also test your incoming or outgoing water and offer advice on softening it. To find a quality plumber, all you have to do is search online using the keywords "hot water Brisbane."

5. Insulation

Insulating the water heater as well as the incoming pipes and connectors can extend the life of your water heater by preventing it from freezing during cold months. Freezing water expands, and if the water in a connector or pipe expands, it can break the pipe. If your water heater freezes, it will require that you completely replace it, which can represent hundreds of dollars.

When you insulate the heater, it is equally important not to cover the relief valve. The relief valve allows water to escape if the pressure in the tank rises to unsafe levels.

Additionally, if you have a gas water heater, you must be careful to not cover the housing for the pilot flame. Similarly, if your heater is electric, you must ensure the electric panel is not covered.

6. Temperature adjustments

Reducing the temperature of your heater when you go on vacation or when it is not being used for long periods of time helps protect the heater from any unforeseen problems. Additionally, it helps you save money.

7. Anode rod

The anode rod is a replaceable component designed to promote corrosion on the rod rather than in the tank. You should inspect and replace the anode rod annually. In addition to preventing corrosion in the tank, replacing the rod will help reduce the amount of sediment that collects at the bottom of your tank.

Sujain Thomas is Data IT professional and blogger