Most people never think about the water heater until it stops working. With winters that regularly push below zero, a failing water heater is more than an inconvenience. Regular maintenance keeps it running efficiently, helps it last longer and lowers the odds of an emergency replacement. Here is what you need to know.
Why local water heaters have it harder
Our water is moderately hard. The minerals in it settle out as water heats and build up as sediment on the bottom of the tank. That sediment lowers efficiency and wears out the tank lining and heating parts faster.
Cold winters add to the load. When incoming water gets much colder in January and February, the heater has to run longer to reach the same temperature. A tank already struggling from neglect is far more likely to fail during the coldest stretch of the year.
What happens when maintenance is skipped
Sediment is the most common result. It forms an insulating layer between the burner and the water, so the heater runs longer and your gas or electric bill goes up. It also takes up space, so you run out of hot water sooner.
Other problems follow: corrosion inside the tank once the anode rod is used up, a relief valve that no longer works the way it should, rusty or smelly hot water, and a tank that fails years earlier than it needed to. A standard tank usually lasts 8 to 12 years with care. Without it, some fail well short of that.
Signs your water heater needs attention now
Rumbling, popping or banging from the tank. Uneven water temperature or hot water that takes longer to recover. Rusty hot water at the taps. A sulfur or rotten-egg smell in the hot water. Corrosion, moisture or water around the base. A heater that is 8 years old or more and has never been serviced. Any one of these is worth a call, because catching it early almost always costs less.
What a maintenance visit includes
A real service visit covers more than a glance. We flush the tank to clear sediment. We check the anode rod, the part that protects the tank from corrosion, and replace it if it is used up. We test the temperature and pressure relief valve to make sure it opens and closes properly, and check the thermostat setting for safety and efficiency.
On a gas heater we check the burner, the gas connection and the venting. On an electric heater we check the elements and wiring. And we look for early corrosion, small leaks and loose connections before they turn into bigger problems. Our Water Heaters page covers repairs and replacements too.
Once a year is the right schedule for most homes. Busy households with especially hard water may benefit from twice a year. If a tank has gone many years without a flush, it is best done by a plumber, because stirring up hardened sediment in an old tank can clog the drain valve or start a leak.
The real cost of skipping service
Skipping maintenance saves a little now and usually costs more later. A heater full of sediment burns more energy every month. A tank that fails in a finished basement adds water damage cleanup to the price of a new heater. A service visit costs a fraction of either.
When a tank does reach the end, we install Bradford White water heaters. A standard 40-gallon atmospheric gas model starts at $1,750 installed, including an expansion tank and haul-away. A 40-gallon power vent starts at $2,750.
Tankless heaters need maintenance too
A tankless unit isn't maintenance-free. In hard water, scale builds up inside the heat exchanger. Without regular descaling, flow drops, efficiency suffers and the unit can overheat. Most manufacturers call for yearly service in hard water areas, and ours qualifies. See our Tankless Water Heaters page for more.
Don't wait for a cold shower on a February morning. Call (224) 567-2501 to schedule a water heater service. There is no service fee, and you get a flat-rate written estimate before we start.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a water heater be serviced?
Once a year for most homes. Households with very hard water or heavy hot water use may benefit from twice a year.
What does a water heater flush do?
It drains the sediment that settles on the bottom of the tank. That helps the heater run efficiently, recover faster and last longer.
Why does my hot water smell like rotten eggs?
Usually a reaction between bacteria in the water and the anode rod in the tank. Flushing the tank and replacing the anode often fixes it.
Do tankless water heaters need maintenance?
Yes. In hard water, scale builds up inside the heat exchanger, so most manufacturers call for descaling once a year.