Take Care of your Water Heater So It Will Take Care of You

You may not think about that big tank in your garage very often. But rest assured, it’s working for you several times throughout the day. You count on your hot water heater to help with dishes, provide you with a warm bath or shower, wash clothes, and more. That’s why it’s important to take care of the most important Phoenix water treatment appliance in your home. Take a look at these tips from the Phoenix plumbers at Chas Roberts Air Conditioning & Plumbing.

Simple Water Heater Maintenance Tips

There are several easy, inexpensive things you can do to make sure your water heater stays in tip top shape.

• Insulation: To insulate the hot water pipes yourself, use self-sticking 3/8-inch-thick foam pipe insulation that matches the pipes’ diameter. Insulate both the hot and cold water pipes; insulating the cold-water pipe prevents condensation in summer. You can also buy an insulation blanket to insulate the entire tank. According to thisoldhouse.com, adding insulation reduces heat loss by up to 45 percent and can shave as much as 9 percent off water-heating costs.

• Flushing: Flushing sediment from the tank improves efficiency and longevity. Start by turning the tank’s power switch to “off” and then drain the water from the tank into a bucket. Next, open the cold-water supply valve to help stir up the sediment at the bottom of the tank. Repeat this process until clean water comes out of the hose.

• Anode Rod: The job of the anode rod is to divert corrosive materials away from the inside of the tank walls. Making sure a viable anode rod hangs in the tank will help prevent the inside from rusting out. It’s recommended that the anode rod be replaced about every five years.

• Check the temperature: It’s recommended that homeowners keep the water heater’s temperature at 120 degrees. To set the temperature, you can find the temperature dial on the side of the tank; just unscrew the cover and adjust using a flathead screwdriver. Note this: For every 10 degrees the temperature is lowered, you can save up to 5 percent in energy costs.

Although these items can be considered do-it-yourself maintenance, we understand that you may not have the time or be comfortable performing these tasks on your own. The professional Phoenix plumbers at Chas Roberts are here for you.

For a limited time, we’re offering a complimentary plumbing inspection. During this 10-point inspection, our plumber will look at all of your Phoenix water treatment systems and perform a water heater check, water main pressure test, water quality test, water softener check, reverse osmosis check, shutoff valve check, supply line check and a toilet check.

This special offer won’t last forever, so contact Chas Roberts today to set up your free inspection. Schedule an appointment online at ChasRoberts.com or call (602) 943-3426.