DIY Tips for Water Heater Maintenance

A plumber providing DIY tips for water heater maintenance.

You probably don’t think too much about your water heater until it goes wrong. For the most part it sits in its little corner, perhaps humming away; giving you hot water as and when you need it.

But, when it breaks, you need NSW Hot Water fast! They can assess the issues and repair the damage or even source you a new water heater fast.

Of course, it’s preferable not to need to repair it! That’s why you need to know these DIY tips; look after it before it becomes an issue:

Visual Inspection

You should visually inspect your heater and all plumbing lines at least once a year. This will ensure they are working properly and any potential issues are spotted. Corroded pipes should be replaced before they burst and you should verify if there is a leak that is causing the corrosion.

Flush It

At least once a year you need to drain your water tank via the lowest siphon point. You should turn off the water supply before you do this.

You can then turn the water back on and allow it to come out the valve at the bottom. It should run clear after several minutes. You can then shut the valve, reintroduce the water to the tank and open the air valve to release excess air.

This will prevent sediment build up will can reduce the effectiveness of the heating system.

Maintenance

At least once a year you should listen to all the noises the water heater is making to see if any sound different. You can also test the water quality and the temperature. This will help you to confirm that everything is behaving as it should be.

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If it’s not you may need to contact the plumbing service to get the issue resolved. It is best not to wat when reporting issues. If they get worse they tend to be considerably more expensive.

Remember Natural Disasters

There has been a massive increase in natural disasters across the globe and this should make you consider what you would do if a disaster happened where you live.

Alongside emergency supplies and securing your property it is important to consider how much difference a working water heater would make.

To ensure it remains working you’ll need to:

  • Unplug it before the disaster hits
  • Insulate it with anything you have to retain heat
  • Make sure it is surrounded by a protective shelter
  • Have a back-up generator or solar panels to power it
  • Maintain it properly as described above.
  • Shut the main valve off before the disaster if possible to prevent flooding. You can turn it back on once you know the system is working properly and the danger has passed.

Don’t forget to keep a few basic tools including a wrench handy, it will help you to deal with a stuck valve or any other issues. It’s also a good idea to have purification tablets to hand, just in case the water is not being cleaned properly after a disaster.

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