How to Maintain A Hot Water Heater Tank!

  We all love to have all the hot water we can and it all comes from a hot water heater tank which most people ignore. Hot water tanks are made to last for years maintenance free. With just a little effort from you your hot water heater can last longer and use less energy.

Every 6 months or at least once a year you should drain down the hot water tank. Doing this rids the water tank of sediment which builds over time which can cost you more money to heat and give you less hot water when you want it due to build up.

To drain the hot water heater, turn the temperature control to low or off to prevent it from trying to heat with no water inside. Turn off the water supply to the water tank at the top of the water heater or at the main.

Next place a bucket under the drain valve or better yet place a garden hose on the end of the valve and run it to a nearby drain in the floor preferred or outside the house. Try to keep the hose lower than the water valve for gravity to do it's work.

Now open the drain valve and let the water run until it runs clear or stops running. Close the drain valve and turn the water supply valve back on and let it fill up. Open up your hot water faucets to get the trapped air out. Turn the hot water heater back to the normal temperature it was when you started.

Once a year you should check the pressure relief valve by just lifting the handle up and water should flow out the overflow pipe. This device is there to let the pressure out if the tank malfunctions in any way.

Always inspect the hot water tank for leaks and exhaust gases through the chimney if it is a gas water heater. The gas is carbon monoxide and will kill you if it builds up in the house.

You may have to open some faucets up to get the water to drain out of the tank.

Remember to shut these off when finished.

Be careful the water is hot.

Keep flammable objects away from a gas water heater.