Water heaters are something that home-owners rely on every day. They are quiet appliances that are typically rarely ever seen. This also means that they are the most common appliance to be neglected and not given proper maintenance care. Three easy to perform maintenance steps can increase the life span of your water heater and save you money. These three steps are something most professional plumbers will do any time they inspect or do a routine maintenance on your hot water heater.

Check the temperature setting and adjust it. The temperature setting is important to double check from time to time according to Houston plumbers. The temperature should be set between 115 and 120 degrees. This prevents the water heater from overheating and damaging heating elements. It can also save you money because it does not use as much gas or electricity to keep the water at that range. Most electrical water heaters have two thermostats, one for the upper portion of the tank, the other for the lower part of the tank. It is important to make sure that these two are set to the same temperature to prevent one heating element from wearing out before the other.

Testing the pressure valve is also important. The pressure valve is a safety system that will open and release pressure from the water line. This can prevent damage to the water heater and to pipes. If it malfunctions, you could have a hot water pipe burst, risking injury on top of property damage. To test, Dallas plumbers say that you should simply lift the valve lever part way, then quickly release it, allowing it to snap back into place. You should hear a bubbling or gurgling sound as water is released into the drain tube. If the valve does nothing then it should be replaced.

Flushing out the hot water heater is also a very important maintenance step. As water sits in the tank, sediment will settle to the bottom of the tank. Boston plumbers say that this can cause corrosion of the tank and sooner or later you will be dealing with a leak. The sediment also will absorb heat and will make your heater less efficient. Doing a small flush, also called a mini-flush) is usually sufficient to remove the sediment. You will need a bucket and a flat head screwdriver, in some cases. Locate the drain valve, often located near the bottom of the tank, and place the bucket under it. Most drain valves will have a handle, some may require the use of a flat head screwdriver. Turn counter clock-wise to open the drain line and let a few gallons of water out. Close the valve by turning it back to its original position clock-wise. Water heaters can be left running when only a mini-flush is performed. They must be shut down for a full flush.

Following these three maintenance tips can add life to your hot water heater and save you money on repairs. Find out from professional plumbers what else can be done for preventive maintenance. Many professional plumbers are more than willing to give you tips to keep your system up. Always have your plumbing inspected once a year, no matter what type of preventive maintenance you perform. Plumbing professionals are trained to find potential problems and make sure that your plumbing is up to local building code.