What is water Heater maintenance important?
Water heaters are quite easy to maintain and yet very few of us actually take the time once a year to complete the maintenance. As a homeowner I would suggest that the sediment for the base of the take be drained annually. This can be done by connecting a water hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the heater and the other end can run to a drain. Allow approximately 5 gallons to drain or run until the water is clear. If you haven’t used this drain in a number of years there is a good possibility that the drain will not seal when you are complete. I would therefore caution you to undertake this process. It is also recommended to “exercise” the pressure relief near the top of the tank. This should also be done on an annual basis but the same caution is extended if you haven’t done so in a number of years. If you intend on exercising the pressure relief valve you should shut the water off to the tank first, then drain to clean the sediment out of the system from the bottom and finally exercise the valve.