Servicing Your Water Heater: Step by Step Guide

Although a water heater can run for years without any problems, there’s a potential for great danger should something go wrong. Being burned by scalding water, sickened or killed by poisonous gas or having your house burned down due to an out of control gas-fed fire are just a few of the things that can go wrong when a water heater isn’t working properly.

Unless you have professional experience working with water heaters or servicing your water heater, it’s best to hire a licensed service company to make sure everything is in proper working order and the system is operating safely and efficiently. A few of the things your service company should be doing when they do perform maintenance on your tank include:

1. Draining the tank: Unless your water heater is drained regularly (even if it is a “self-cleaning” design), you should have your tank drained once a year. This will help prevent sediment build-up at the bottom of your tank that can rob capacity and efficiency.

2. Inspecting the anode rod: Not many people do this but replacing the anode rod can extend the life of your water heater. The purpose of the anode rod is to sacrifice itself to save your tank. Instead of your tank rusting out, your anode rod deteriorates due to an electrolytic process.

3. Checking the gas pressure: This step is often overlooked, even by qualified installers. Proper gas pressure is important to insure the system is operating efficiently and safely. The system is designed to work within a particular pressure range. Pressures outside that range can cause simple problems or dangerous conditions.

4. Testing the Temperature/Pressure Relief Valve: This is the most critical safety component on your water heater. If it doesn’t work when it needs to, the pressure build-up in your tank can cause a catastrophic incident. The T&P valve should open when temperatures or pressures get
too high in the tank. Your service company can test it and replace it if necessary.

5. Checking the Flue Pipe: Another critical component of your system is the flue (vent) pipe, especially if your water heater is located within your living area (as opposed to an attic or garage). If your vent becomes clogged or damaged, dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) can
escape into your home. CO can make you very sick and even kill you. It’s colorless and odorless
so you may not even know you have a problem until it’s too late. Make sure you install a carbon monoxide detector on every level of the home.

6. Water Cut-off Valve: If there’s a leak in your tank, you want to be sure your cut-off valve will work when the time comes. A lot of old valves won’t shut-off all the way due to calcium build- up. Your service company can make sure the valve works by opening and closing it after draining your tank.

Annual water heater maintenance is required.

If you have any questions, contact your service provider.

* Portions excerpted from CPSC Tap Water Scalds Doc. #5098