We all know this line “Prevention is better than cure” means doing some good tasks to stop the bad things to happen in future. The same thing has to be followed in our hot water heaters by performing preventive maintenance to keep them away from repairs and damages. It is easier than troubleshooting issues or buying new parts, it saves lots of money if you perform preventive maintenance to your heaters.
But what is it, how to do it and what it includes? may be these questions raising in your mind, don’t worry our professional Mr. Joseph is here to explain everything step by step including a checklist style to help you perform it in easy and better way. At the bottom of this article you will find a maintenance checklist PDF to download. So, lets get started below.
What is Preventive maintenance on a hot water heater?
It is a routine of regularly inspecting and servicing the components of the heater like tank, filters, pipes, fittings, wires, valves, etc., to stop them breaking down or malfunctioning by some factors like mineral scales, corrosion, rust, leaks. This makes the heater system to run smoothly by increasing its lifespan.
How to conduct preventative maintenance on a hot water heater?
Preventive maintenance on hot water heater includes visual inspections, checking, cleaning, and replacing. With the help of the below checklist you can perform daily, monthly, quarterly, half yearly and annual maintenance checks on your water heater easily.
Daily checklist:
- Check near the water inlet and outlet pipes and fittings for leaks.
- For Gas heaters check if you smell unusual odors.
- For Electrical heaters inspect the wires and sockets.
- Verify the Pilot light is steady and flame is in blue color.
- Check temperature of hot water and match it with the temperature set on the heater.
You can daily check this list or sometimes if you are busy with your daily routine, you can check them once in a three days.
Monthly Checklist:
You need to include the daily maintenance checklist while performing monthly maintenance.
Air intake and outlet vents
Check the air intake and outlet vents for any blockages, damages or if it is a metal one check the rust and corrosion.
Pressure Relief Valve
Check the Pressure relief valve whether its functioning perfectly or not by placing a bucket under it and open it to release some excess pressure while the heater is working and close it. When you close it the water or pressure should stop coming out from it, if still water dips or pressure coming out from it you need to change the pressure relief valve with new one.
Check for sediment built up
At the bottom of the tank you can see a drain valve which is used to drain water from the heater while maintenance. Flush at least a liter of water and observe the water quality. If you found sediments clean the tank.
Check for burnt debris
If you found any burnt debris in the combustion chamber remove them.
Check the Gas levels
Check the gas cylinder has sufficient gas in it.
Annual Preventive maintenance
Annual maintenance is the most important one which should be followed to keep your hot water heater run smoothly and efficiently for longer lifespan. Let’s see what tasks it includes in it.
1. Drain and Flush the Tank
- Why: Sediment buildup can reduce efficiency and cause damage to heater by excess heating to achieve required temperature.
- How: Turn off the power or set the gas valve to “pilot”. Attach a hose to the drain valve and let the water flow until it runs clear to remove loose sediments. Descale the tank using descaling solution or white vinegar.
2. Test the Pressure Relief Valve
- Why: This valve prevents excessive pressure buildup, which is dangerous. If pressure inside the tank increases this valve opens automatically and purges excess pressure.
- How: Lift the valve lever and let it snap back. If no water or pressure comes out when opened, and also if water or pressure leaks after closing, it might need replacing.
3. Replace the Anode Rod
- Why: The anode rod attracts corrosive elements, protecting the tank from rust.
- How: Check it annually and replace it if it’s less than 1/2 inch thick or if more than 6 inches of the core steel wire is exposed.
4. Test the Thermostat and Valves
- Why: Ensuring the thermostat is accurate and valves are functioning properly.
- How: Set the thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal performance and safety. Test valves for proper operation.
5. Clean the Burner Assembly (for Gas Heaters)
- Why: A clean burner ensures efficient heating.
- How: Turn off the gas and power, then remove and clean the burner assembly with a brush.
6. Examine the Flue and Venting System
- Why: Proper venting is crucial for safety and efficiency.
- How: Inspect the flue and venting system for blockages or damage. Cleaning or repairing is needed if you find blockages or damages. If they can’t be repaired, replace it with new parts.
7. Check Electrical Connections (for Electric Heaters)
- Why: Loose or corroded connections can cause malfunctions.
- How: Turn off the power and inspect all electrical connections, tightening or replacing as necessary.
8. Run a Short Test Cycle
- Why: Ensures everything is working correctly after maintenance.
- How: Turn the power back on and run a short test cycle to check for any issues.
That’s it for annual maintenance, some tasks listed above have to be done according to few factors like water hardness, dust in the atmosphere, etc. If your water has higher harness levels, anode rod will corrode quicker than usual. In that case we need to check the anode rod between 6 to 9 months. In some heaters with out anode rods scales are formed which needs to be descaled accordingly.
As many of these tasks can be performed by yourself but you need to get a professional for few complex things related to gas, pilot light, and electrical connections.
How to implement Preventive maintenance
Incorporating these tips into your routine can help ensure timely and effective water heater maintenance.
1. Create a Maintenance Schedule
Break down tasks into daily, monthly and annual intervals. We already created them above you can easily read them or download our checklist PDF at the end of this article.
2. Document Maintenance Tasks
Maintain a maintenance log that records the name of the maintenance personnel, dates of maintenance activities, observations, issues encountered, and actions taken. This documentation can be useful for troubleshooting and improving maintenance practices in future.
3. Set Task Reminders
Use digital calendars, and alerts to set reminders for all scheduled maintenance tasks. This will help keep you on track and ensure timely completion of each task.
Bonus: Preventive Maintenance Checklist PDF
Need any help? Scroll below to comment.
Thanks – Joseph
