The water heater is one of those appliances that is easy to ignore in Adelaide. It’s out of sight, out of mind, and doesn’t need any maintenance for years. It’s possible you don’t think about it until something goes wrong.
Like most appliances, water heaters require routine maintenance to optimise energy efficiency and extend the unit’s lifespan. A neglected water heater may keep the hot water flowing for a few years, but it will steadily increase your utility bills, and it will ultimately fail.
Having your water heater serviced annually by a licenced plumber is the best way to protect your investment. A good plumber will inspect the tank thoroughly for rust, leaks, and other issues and test the thermostat and valves, replace the anode rod to prevent corrosion, and flush it. However, depending on your local water supply’s mineral content, you may want to perform the last task — flushing the tank — yourself every few months.
You can save a lot of money by learning how to flush a water heater on your own.
Should I Drain My Water Heater on a Regular Basis?
Flushing out the lime and other sediments in the water heater tank on a regular basis improves the efficiency and durability of the heater. In neglected water heaters, sediment can build up and calcify, making it difficult to remove. If this continues, the entire unit may need to be replaced. Sediment, on the other hand, will not cause problems if you flush your tank on a regular basis.
To some extent, minerals can be found in all water. If you live in an area where there is a lot of limestone beneath the ground, calcium and magnesium deposits will build up in your groundwater, making your water “hard.” Limescale is formed by hard water, which settles out of the water and accumulates at the bottom of your water heater. Natural gas heaters can result in inconsistencies in tank heating, which can lead to leaks. The lower heating element on electric heaters will burn out due to scaling. In both cases, sediment buildup would clog the drain valve.
When Should I Flush My Hot Water Heater?
Most homeowners should flush their water heaters every six months or so, but if you have particularly hard water, you may want to flush it more frequently. Depending on your local water supply’s mineral content, you may need to flush your heating system of hot water every few months in Adelaide.
Things to keep in mind before beginning a Water Heater Flush
You must first figure out how to turn off your gas water heater before draining the tank. A vacation set may suffice. You can also check to see if the pilot light needs to be lit manually. Because pilot lighting procedures differ between models, this information’s best source is the original owner’s manual.
If you don’t have a manual, look on the water heater’s label for a brand name and model number and look it up online. The instructions for pilot lighting can also be found on a label on the tank.
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