Performing regular maintenance on your hot water tank can greatly extend its service life! Regular maintenance can also prevent costly damaged caused by a leaking hot water tank! Read this article to learn how to take care of your hot water tank!
Be Proactive- Prevent Headaches- Drain it!
Sediment build-up in your hot water tank is inevitable. As water flows into your house, it carries with it small pieces of debris that can wreak havoc on a hot water tank. Over time, this sediment collects in the bottom of your hot water tank. This sediment causes your tank to malfunction. Sediment makes it harder for your water to be heated, and causes additional damage to the tank.
If the sediment is not removed regularly, the tank will ultimately need replaced more often. Sediment build-up can also contribute to a lack of hot water and even leaking. A leaking hot water tank can result in 40+ gallons of hot water dumping out into your home. Obviously, we want to avoid this at all costs!
Yearly Maintenance
The easiest way to remove sediment and prolong the service life of your hot water tank is by draining your tank once a year. This may seem like a lot of work, but it is actually quite easy! First, turn off the power supply (typically gas or electric.) Second, shut off the water supply. Third, turn on the hot water at another fixture, such as your kitchen sink. Fourth, attach a water hose to the bottom valve of the tank, and open the valve to allow the water to flow out. As the water flows out of the tank, it will carry the majority of the sediment with it. Finally, flush the rest of the tank by turning back on the water supply.
For a more detailed step by step guide to how to drain and flush your hot water tank, visit this link: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-drain-and-flush-water-heater.htm?fbclid=IwAR3Y-Wvbr26I6RC72s8p78t5eTbcIdVf3YZgNy2VbZx4V6FZFby5Ve0lTnE
As always, Vandalia Home Inspections is here to assist you in better understanding your home and all of its systems. Call us today, or book an inspection online to learn more about your hot water tank and how to care for it! Home Inspections can be booked at https://www.304inspect.com!
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