Preparing for winter weather is an annual ritual for most area homeowners. There are certain things we know to do before the start of the season, like scheduling a furnace tune up, making sure our car tires can handle the conditions to come, and insulating exposed Water Heater water pipes, especially those located in unheated areas of the home.
Unfortunately, many overlook one important system – the water heater. You see, your water heater is more susceptible to problems and failure during the winter months than at any other time of the year. It’s during colder weather that households depend on hotter water and more of it, putting more strain on the system and its components. What’s more, the colder the outdoor temp, the colder the water coming into your home. That, again, puts added strain on your water heater. And it doesn’t help that most systems are in unheated areas of the home, like the basement.
So, to help keep your water heater in top working condition, follow the steps below.
-
Inspect the exterior of the water heater
for rust, corrosion, or water puddling which indicates that you likely have a leak. This requires prompt attention from a licensed plumbing professional.
-
Check the hot water temperature
in your home. Go to the faucet located farthest away from the water heater and use a thermostat to check the temp. For optimum efficiency and safety, the temperature should be around 120 degrees F. If it’s higher, dial back the water heater’s thermostat, wait a few hours, and check again. If the water temperature is higher than the water heater’s setting, there might be an issue with the unit’s thermostat.
-
Insulate the water heater
to raise and maintain the temperature of the water inside the tank. Doing so boosts energy savings, makes the system work smarter, not harder, to deliver hot water to your faucets, can boost hot water temps by up to 4 degrees F, and save you time and water as you wait for just the right temperature for your shower or bath.
-
Drain the tank
once a year to remove sediment and minerals that can build up at the bottom of the tank. Such impurities again put added strain on your system and lessen its operating efficiency.
It’s also important to have your water heater inspected once a year by a licensed and experienced plumbing professional, and here we are – Norhio Plumbing. At your request, we can also perform a whole-house plumbing inspection – water heater included – to help keep all plumbing fixtures and systems in the best possible shape. Why not contact us today to schedule service.
Leave a Reply