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How to Properly Maintain Your Water Heater

Homeowner turning off kitchen tap inbetween uses to conserve water.

Your water heater is one of the most used appliances in your home. It’s often taken for granted – until it stops working. There’s nothing more inconvenient that hopping in the shower or bath and running out of hot water within minutes. Even though your water heater should be professionally serviced at least once a year, there are things that you can do in between to guarantee that it services your home for years to come.

Why Does a Water Heater Need to be Drained?

Your water heater is connected to your plumbing system. As water passes through from an outside source, it picks up debris and sediment on the way. Most of this is filtered out by the time it reaches your taps, but small particles can build up over the course of a year or so. Your hot water heater tank can trap sediment as it passes through, and it can build up over time.
Your hot water heater doesn’t need to be completely drained each time, but it’s good to drain at least half of the water reserve. Build up sediment can wear down the interior of your tank, causing wear and tear and making it susceptible to rust. This can shorten the lifespan of your equipment and potentially compromise your hot water supply if it’s left to accumulate.

How Often Should Your Water Heater Be Flushed?

It’s recommended to have your water heater flushed at least once a year. However, depending on the water quality in your area, it may need to be drained more often. Hard water is very common in areas around the country. It’s a buildup of minerals in the water supply, mostly calcium and magnesium. Over time, these minerals can build up and harden in your plumbing, causing blockages or strain on equipment. If you have hard water running through your system, you should consider having your hot water heater flushed at least twice a year.

When to Call Gold Star Service

Flushing annually is necessary to keep your hot water heater working properly and efficiently for years to come. Our Plumbing Experts are trained and certified to properly inspect and flush your hot water heater, but here are a few other signs of wear and tear you need to watch out for:

  • Inconsistent supply of warm water
  • No warm water at all
  • Water doesn’t heat to the desired temperature
  • Leaking storage tank
  • Frequent on and off cycling
  • Failure to switch on
  • Loose or broken parts

When it’s Time to Replace

If your hot water heater hasn’t been working well for a while, or an inspection shows that your system is outdated or beyond repair, it’s likely that you will need a replacement. To help you with your hot water heater replacement, we offer:

  • Water heater repair and replacement
  • Installation of electric water heaters, gas water heaters, tankless water heaters and hybrid water heaters
  • Maintenance of all kinds of water heaters, both residential and commercial

To extend the lifespan of your hot water heater and keep it working efficiently, call Gold Star Service today.

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