How to maintain your hot water system

Essential Hot Water System Maintenance Guide

Maintaining your hot water tanks, including gas hot water systems, is crucial for Plumpton homeowners. Regular maintenance can ensure efficient operation, save on energy costs, and prevent premature system failure.

Annual inspections by professionals, including checks on hot water heaters like heat pumps, can help catch issues before they become serious problems.

We will provide actionable maintenance tips and outline water heater tasks that you can perform with ease. Understanding the importance of routine maintenance for system longevity and efficiency is vital.

Draining and Flushing the Water Heater Tank

Over time, hard water sediment buildup gathers at the bottom of your tank, reducing efficiency and potentially causing corrosion issues.

Help prevent this by flushing your water tank annually:

1. Turn off power to the hot water service and shut the cold water intake valve.
2. Connect a garden hose to the tank’s drain valve and route it to a floor drain or outside.
3. Open the drain valve with the hose attached to drain water from the tank completely.
4. Close the valve once water runs clear without any sediment.
5. Open the temperature pressure relief valve to replenish the water tanks, then re-engage the power supply.
6. If heavy sediment persists, repeat the flushing process.

A yearly tank flush can significantly enhance the performance and extend the life of your system. This process also allows for inspection of components, enabling the identification of leaks or damage.

Enlist a licensed plumber to assess the anode rod and internal elements during electric system drainage. This further maximises lifespan.

Testing the Pressure and Temperature Relief Valve

The temperature pressure relief (TPR) valve is a crucial safety component on your hot water system. This valve protects against excessive pressure by releasing excess hot water, thus preventing the risk of explosion.

Conduct annual testing of your PTR valve to confirm its proper function and ensure safety:

1. Locate your tpr valve on the side of the water heater tank. It has a lever or knob on top.
2. Carefully lift the lever or knob to open the tp valve and allow hot water to discharge.
3. Check that water flows freely from the valve so it can operate during an over-pressure event.
4. Release the lever/knob and ensure it resets properly to close the valve.

If no water is released when you lift the lever, contact a professional since the TPR valve may be obstructed with sediment. Call a professional to inspect and replace it if needed.

Yearly maintenance, especially valve testing, is critical for identifying and replacing faulty components like the 'release valve’ to mitigate safety hazards. This valve will need replaced every five years or upon failure of this test.

Insulating the Water Heater and Pipes

Insulating your hot water tank and associated pipes reduces heat loss and lowers energy costs.

Insulating your tank and the first 1.5 metres of hot water pipes can reduce standby losses by 25% to 40%, maintaining water at the desired temperature. This translates into $30 - $80 yearly savings, paying for itself in under 3 years.

1. Purchase insulation designed specifically for hot water pipes and tanks from a hardware store to help get the job done.
2. Cut insulation strips to fit the height of the tank, plus access holes for valves/fittings.
3. Wrap insulation tightly around the tank, securing neatly with tape.
4. Insulate pipework similarly, taping seams securely.

Ensure you do not obstruct the pressure relief or drain valves when insulating. Annual maintenance access is more than just a suggestion, it’s required for sustained efficiency.

Adjusting the Water Temperature Setting

Set the thermostat to 120°F (49°C) for optimally heated water and peak efficiency. This setting delivers a water supply that is comfortably hot for household uses while conserving energy.

Keep temperatures above 49°C to prevent bacterial growth, checking biannually. Conversely, overly hot settings waste energy and increase the risk of scalding.

1. Locate the gas or electric water heater’s thermostat dial.
2. Using a screwdriver, adjust the dial to the 120°F (49°C) mark.
3. Test water temperature at several faucets with a thermometer once heated.
4. Make small dial adjustments as needed until all fixtures supply 120°F water.

Install anti-scald tempering valves at faucets if your system’s temperature cannot be set below 54°C.

Replacing the Anode Rod

The anode rod is a crucial component that protects your water heater tank from corrosion. Often referred to as a sacrificial anode, this rod attracts damaging electrons, which can lead to it sacrificing itself instead of allowing the tank to corrode.

Inspect the anode rod biannually and replace it as needed to prevent corrosion.

1. Turn off power and water to the heater and drain the tank.
2. Remove the old anode rod with a socket wrench.
3. Apply thread seal tape to new rod threads.
4. Screw in new anode rod tightly.
5. Refill tank, restore power and water.

Replacing the anode rod every 3-5 years considerably improves your water heater’s longevity.

Consult a professional for a thorough internal inspection when changing the anode rod. This allows assessing other parts’ condition.

Checking for Leaks and Corrosion

Keeping an eye out for signs your water heater is failing, particularly by reviewing the inside tank conditions annually for leaks or hints of corrosion, can thwart extensive damage in the future.

Check these locations on your water heater when performing maintenance for all hot water systems:

• Joints - Examine all fittings, valves, pipe connections for drips, rust, or stains.
• Tanks - Look along the full surface for corrosion, pits, or cracks allowing leaks.
• Anode rod - Remove and check; heavy scaling signals corrosion internally.
• Valves - Confirm shutoff and relief valves aren’t stuck open, leaking constantly.
• Insulation - Water-logged insulation needs replacing to maintain efficiency.

Examine the surrounding area for moisture and listen for any hissing that could indicate small leaks.

Upon finding leaks or extensive corrosion, ensure to have your system serviced comprehensively by calling your local expert to inspect and service the unit before complications intensify.

Scheduling Professional Inspections and Maintenance

While regular maintenance can address the most common issues and extend your hot water system’s lifespan, annual professional inspections provide an extra layer of preventative care.

Through regular servicing, our licenced technicians visually scrutinise all components of the hot water system to extend life, from valves and anodes to insulation and gas burners. We use advanced diagnostics to assess corrosion, sediment levels, leaks in electric water heaters, and other issues not apparent through visual checks.

This thorough inspection detects issues in all types of hot water systems promptly, safeguarding optimal performance before resulting in water outages or tank failures. Any worn parts are proactively replaced to restore optimal function.

Regular annual maintenance, including for tankless systems, is advocated to maintain efficiency over time. Upgrades like heat pump water heaters can also be evaluated for long-term savings.

Contact our team at [email protected] or 1300 349 338 to ask about inspection services. Investing in preventative maintenance saves money over your hot water system’s lifetime.

Maintaining Clearance Around the Water Heater

It’s crucial to keep the area around your water heater clear for both safety and convenient maintenance access.

Make sure there is at least 500mm of clear space in front of your hot water unit doors, valves, and access panels. This allows opening and servicing components safely without obstacles in the way.

Also refrain from storing items right up against or on top of your tank, to avoid obstructing the pressure relief valve. Dripping valves or leaks from the sides could cause damage inside your home. Flammable materials touching gas water heaters present a fire hazard as well.

Keep the zone around your system open to:

• Prevent accidental contact with hot surfaces and pipes
• Ensure accessibility of shutoff/relief valves in emergencies
• Allow unobstructed room for future repairs or part replacements
• Give a full view to spot leaks/issues promptly

Checking for adequate clearance is smart maintenance. Consider relocating nearby items or tank position if space limitations exist currently.

Implementing Water Conservation Measures

Several water conservation practises can prolong your hot water system’s lifespan while saving water:

• Take shorter showers to reduce water consumption and heat loss from your tank.
• Insulate pipes to prevent wasted standby heat loss when water sits in pipes.
• Repair any leaky faucets which can allow hot water to constantly escape.
• Install low-flow showerheads and tap aerators to restrict water volume.
• Wash laundry in cold water cycles whenever practical to limit hot water demand.
• Let drinking/cooking water run cold before use rather than wasting heat.

Saving water reduces strain on your hot water systems, enhancing the lifespan of your system while saving you money. Small habit changes make the biggest difference over time.

Contact our team at Plumpton Plumbing to evaluate different types of gas or solar hot water solutions or plumbing repairs needed around your home.