3 Tricks to Keep Your Hot Water Heater in Good Condition
With the sub-zero temperatures we’ve seen recently, residents throughout Kalamazoo and beyond have been worrying about burst pipes and hot water heater troubles. And while it can seem like these freezing Michigan temperatures are the sole cause of your water troubles, that’s probably not the case. In reality, your water systems become more likely to fail with time due to sediment accumulation, poor upkeep, or just plain old age.
Luckily, there is good news. With just a little attention, you can ensure your plumbing stands the test of time. In this month’s blog post, we’re discussing three tips for keeping your hot water running for years to come.
Safety First
Before we get into our three tips, we want to remind you that safety comes first. When performing hot water heater maintenance, make sure to wear protective equipment, including gloves, goggles, and any protective clothing you may need. Now let’s get started!
1. Check Your T&P Valve Yearly
The temperature and pressure relied valve (or T&P valve for short) is an essential little valve that regulates your tank from becoming over pressurizing. If your hot water heater reaches a dangerous pressure, this valve will open and release the pressure, preventing your heater from exploding. As you can guess, it’s essential that this valve is working correctly.
We recommend checking this valve at least once every year. After 5 years, we recommend calling in a professional for an inspection—which we at JP Heating & Air Conditioning are happy to provide.
2. Insulate Your Pipes and Hot Water Heater
Like we discussed earlier, Michigan’s freezing temperatures can pose a major problem to your plumbing. Not only can your pipes burst, but your hot water heater can as well, potentially causing immense damage. We recommend checking your pipes and water heater to see if they’re properly weatherproofed to lower the risk of this happening. If you don’t have proper insulation, getting a professional to install some could make a huge difference.
3. Flush the Tank
The water that you use every day contains minerals such as calcium, potassium, sodium, and much more. Though these minerals are fine (and usually beneficial) for us to consume, they can cause damage to your hot water heater over time. As water moves through your heater, these minerals can build up in significant amounts, compromising efficiency and clogging your water lines. Just by flushing the tank, however, you can keep your hot water heater running smoothly and efficiently.
Contact JP for Your Hot Water Heater Needs!
Whatever your hot water heater problem, we at JP know one thing: no one wants water trouble in the cold Michigan winter. To request maintenance for your hot water heater or other temperature system, click here to contact our team today!
