Homeowner tips for water heater maintenance

Water heaters are one of the most important plumbing fixtures in your home and it requires regular preventive maintenance and care to ensure the warranty is valid. Regular preventative maintenance will increase the longevity and efficiency of your water heater. At Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Ltd., we have home maintenance tips that will help you keep your water heater running efficiently and for a long time. Before you decide to perform any repair maintenance on your water heater, make sure you consult your owner’s manual and follow all warning and safety precautions. The first step is to do a complete visual inspection of your entire water heater. Start with the connections at the top and check for leakage or corrosion. Next, check the seam along the body of the water heater for the same signs until you reach the water heater pan. Any signs of leakage or corrosion will indicate the need to replace your water heater. The temperature and pressure relief device is your primary safety device for the Water heater. To check it, simply partially lift up the lever then let it go allowing it to rapidly snap back into place you should hear a gurgling sound as the valve allows a little water to be released. If nothing happens, the valve must be replaced. It’s also is very important to remove the sediment that occurs anytime the water is heated. To flush out this sediment, place a bucket near the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. If the drain valve is lower than the top of the bucket you may have to attach a water hose. Open the drain valve and release the water. You just want to do a mini flush to get the sediment that has settled to the bottom. For a full flush, you should call your local neighbourhood plumber.