Annual water heater maintenance

[dcxplant]

Like my annual colonoscopy thread, here is the one thing to save real money that no one does: water heater maintenance.

Check the temperature release valve; cut off the power and water supply, open the valve (on the back or side of unit) let out some water and release the valve. It's spring loaded and should shut off, if it keeps draining when you let it go, replace it.

Replace the anode. Huh? Yup, the sacrificial metal rod that corrodes instead of your tank. Replace it every year. It screws into the top and the rod hangs down into the tank.

Drain the tank. Hook up a hose and drain into a bucket or outside until it runs clear. If you've never done this, shut off the water, drain til clear, turn on water to stir up crud, drain til clear, repeat as needed. I'm lucky I can drain out of my garage. A five gallon bucket should be good enough if yours is in a basement, but you may make a few trips.

It takes :30 minutes now go save some bucks!!

-note- I'm a Harry homeowner not a plumber, do your due diligence.

 

[NYlakesider]

As a retired plumber that is good advice. In the real world hardly anyone does that.

 

[Comrad]

I have found that any appliance no matter how well maintained will fail 10 seconds after the warranty expires.

 

[Mcwsky09]

I have found that any appliance no matter how well maintained will fail 10 seconds after the warranty expires.

I had a dish washer that was trickier than that - failed while under warranty - and when I ran it again, while the repair guy was on his way over, so that I could demonstrate what it was doing, it worked, then failed for a good awhile later.

Part of the issue might have been the previous installer ran the drain hose down throughout he floor and across the basement and back up to the sink.

 

[LVSteve]

Part of the issue might have been the previous installer ran the drain hose down throughout he floor and across the basement and back up to the sink.

Say WHAAAATT!!!

 

[rwsmith]

That is screwy......

I had a dish washer that was trickier than that - failed while under warranty - and when I ran it again, while the repair guy was on his way over, so that I could demonstrate what it was doing, it worked, then failed for a good awhile later.

Part of the issue might have been the previous installer ran the drain hose down throughout he floor and across the basement and back up to the sink.

Screwy? Yes. Do I believe it? Yes.

I was rather disgruntled when I discovered that when the house was built the contractor left out six piers that were on the drawings. In having new piers installed I discovered that the foundations of the piers that were already there were made by scooping out a hole about 6" deep in the middle and about 1" thick on the edges.