Winter Hot Water Heater Maintenance Tips for Seattle Homeowners

Winter time is no friend of your home’s plumbing. The frigid temperatures wreak havoc on your pipes and can cause you some serious headaches as well as cost you a lot of money in repairs. One of the items in your home that you may not even think twice about is your hot water heater. You don’t realize how much you depend on your hot water until it is gone. The folks at Greenwood Hardware want you to have hot water all year round and have a few tips for you to use to make sure your hot water heater survives another winter. Typically, you can save yourself a lot of trouble by performing regular maintenance on the water heater to prevent any major breakdowns.

• Inspect the on/off valve on your water heater. If you discover there is even the smallest leak, you need to replace the valve or have the tank undergo maintenance.
• Have the tank flushed to remove any sediment that may be built up inside the bottom. This sediment will cause problems for you in the long run as well as reduce efficiency of the tank.
• Inspect the outside of the tank and look for any rust spots. These could indicate trouble. Monitor the spots and if you see there are more or the spot is growing, you are going to need to have your water heater replaced before it breaks down and floods your home.
• If you notice it seems to be taking longer for you to get hot water or you don’t have as much, your water heater may be on its last legs. Loud gurgling noises are also indicative of a problem. Consider replacing the water heater before it goes out completely.

You know your house best! If you notice any changes in the way your water heater works, it is best to call a professional out to evaluate the situation. A broken water heater is a bit of a nightmare. It seems like the things always break on a Friday night, leaving you without hot water for days! Head into Greenwood Hardware today and check out our line of water heaters available. Professional installation is also available! Don’t wait until it is too late – come on in, or contact us online.