Water Heater Maintenance 101 – Valuable Tips From Griffin Plumbing

Griffin Plumbing - Water Heater Maintenance

Here at Griffin Plumbing of Santa Maria, Orcutt and the Central Coast we understand that water heaters can be a big investment for many homeowners and repairs can get pricey. Here is a run-down on how to keep your water heater in tip-top shape with proper water heater maintenance to save some serious cash and ensure longer service life, problem-free performance and lower energy bills!

#1 Remember to Drain the Sediment

Sediment in your hot water tank consists of minerals commonly found in hard water, like calcium and magnesium. The sediment accumulates at the bottom of your tank. If too much collects, it can cause your hot water to be discolored, and your tank to run less efficiently.

Draining your tank:

First, turn off the power source to your water heater. This means either finding the fuse box and flipping the switch to the off position (for electric heaters) or turning the thermostat dial to the off or Pilot position (on a gas heater).

Next, turn off the water heater’s cold water supply valve. This can be located in a few places, but it is generally placed at the top of your water heater.

Then, attach a garden hose or something similar to the drain valve, which should be located at the base of your water heater. Be sure to run this hose to either a sink, a utility drain, outside, or a bucket. Once this is in place, open all of the hot water faucets in your home and let them run. This will assist in dispensing all of the hot water from the system.

Finally, open the water heater drainage valve and allow the tank to completely empty. Note: If the valve appears to be clogged, it is okay to turn on the cold water supply long enough to push the clog through, but then you should turn it off again. Once the water tank is completely drained, you have the option of either disconnecting your water heater or taking the opportunity to flush your water heater.

#2 Flush Your System

Flushing your hot water heater includes removing the sediment from your hot and cold water supplies. This is a great way to clean debris out your tanks quickly and efficiently and is an important part of water heater maintenance.

Flushing your system:

Start by following the steps to drain the sediment, and then continue with the process to thoroughly flush your system. While the hose is still connected to your hot water drainage valve, as discussed above, turn on the cold water valve and allow it to run for 10 minutes. This will push clean, cold water through the tank to remove any residual sediment that may still be sitting within the system, and is an important step in water heater maintenance.

When time is up, turn off the cold water valve, disconnect the hose, turn your water heater back on, and reopen the cold water valve to allow your tank to refill. The last step is to go through your house and turn on the hot water faucets in each bathroom to allow any air build-up to drain from the pipes.

#3 Check the Anode Rod

The anode rod is an important, but seemingly forgettable, element to the water heater. This long thin pipe protruding from the top of your water heater is actually a great tool for removing rust and hard water minerals from your water heater. You will probably be able to tell which rod we are referring to if you see a rod on top of your water heater that looks like it is covered in corrosion. If you see this, it is time to change the anode rod. Changing this out will extend the life of your water heater and also greatly improve the quality of your water.

For more helpful water heater maintenance tips, or assistance with repairing or replacing your water heater, call Griffin Plumbing at 805-934-1949 today!

More Posts from Your Santa Maria Plumbers


Featured image for “Unmasking Plumbing Myths: Griffin’s Santa Maria Plumbers Bust the Top 10 Misconceptions”

Unmasking Plumbing Myths: Griffin’s Santa Maria Plumbers Bust the Top 10 Misconceptions

Featured image for “How to Update Your Bathroom for the Holidays”

How to Update Your Bathroom for the Holidays

Featured image for “Griffin Plumbing Celebrates 20 Years of Exceptional Service to the Central Coast”

Griffin Plumbing Celebrates 20 Years of Exceptional Service to the Central Coast

Featured image for “The Top Five Plumbing Issues Santa Maria Homeowners Face and How to Resolve Them”

The Top Five Plumbing Issues Santa Maria Homeowners Face and How to Resolve Them

Featured image for “3 Kitchen Sink Tips for Your Home”

3 Kitchen Sink Tips for Your Home

Featured image for “5 Tips to Prevent Toilet Trouble From Your Santa Maria Plumbers”

5 Tips to Prevent Toilet Trouble From Your Santa Maria Plumbers

Featured image for “2023 New Years Plumbing Resolutions”

2023 New Years Plumbing Resolutions

Featured image for “Halloween Plumbing Tips”

Halloween Plumbing Tips

Featured image for “Plumbing Tips to Prepare for Fall”

Plumbing Tips to Prepare for Fall

Featured image for “Preparing Your Plumbing for Vacation”

Preparing Your Plumbing for Vacation

Featured image for “Water-Saving Tips for Summer”

Water-Saving Tips for Summer

Featured image for “How to Brighten Your Kitchen For Spring”

How to Brighten Your Kitchen For Spring

Featured image for “Spring 2022 Plumbing Tips”

Spring 2022 Plumbing Tips

Featured image for “Plumbing Myths to Stop Believing”

Plumbing Myths to Stop Believing

Featured image for “2022 New Year’s Plumbing Resolutions”

2022 New Year’s Plumbing Resolutions

Featured image for “Water Heater Maintenance Tips for Fall”

Water Heater Maintenance Tips for Fall

Featured image for “Drain Cleaning Tips and Tricks!”

Drain Cleaning Tips and Tricks!

Featured image for “Water Filtration for Your Santa Maria Home”

Water Filtration for Your Santa Maria Home

Featured image for “Family Friendly Plumbing Tips”

Family Friendly Plumbing Tips

Featured image for “Your Plumbers in Santa Maria: Why Choose Griffin?”

Your Plumbers in Santa Maria: Why Choose Griffin?

Featured image for “4 Dishwasher Maintenance Tips”

4 Dishwasher Maintenance Tips

Featured image for “3 Plumbing Situations That Require an Emergency Call”

3 Plumbing Situations That Require an Emergency Call

Featured image for “Spring Cleaning Plumbing Tips”

Spring Cleaning Plumbing Tips

Featured image for “2020 Plumbing Resolutions”

2020 Plumbing Resolutions

Featured image for “We’re Hiring! | Griffin Plumbers”

We’re Hiring! | Griffin Plumbers

Featured image for “Griffin Plumbing Featured in The Sun’s ‘Best of’ Issue”

Griffin Plumbing Featured in The Sun’s ‘Best of’ Issue

Featured image for “Griffin Plumbing Announces Donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Maria Valley”

Griffin Plumbing Announces Donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Santa Maria Valley

Featured image for “Trenchless Pipe and Sewer Line Repair 101 | The Basics Explained”

Trenchless Pipe and Sewer Line Repair 101 | The Basics Explained

Featured image for “Home Water Filtration And Treatment Tips From Griffin Plumbing”

Home Water Filtration And Treatment Tips From Griffin Plumbing

Featured image for “Water Leak Detection And Repair 101”

Water Leak Detection And Repair 101

Featured image for “Home Buying Tips from Griffin Plumbing”

Home Buying Tips from Griffin Plumbing

Featured image for “It’s Time To Play The Water Heater Dating Game: Hosted by Griffin Plumbing”

It’s Time To Play The Water Heater Dating Game: Hosted by Griffin Plumbing

Featured image for “Is Your Plumbing Ready For Spring?”

Is Your Plumbing Ready For Spring?

Featured image for “How To Tame a Tricky Toilet”

How To Tame a Tricky Toilet

Featured image for “Honoring Our Veterans With Honor Flight | Griffin Plumbing”

Honoring Our Veterans With Honor Flight | Griffin Plumbing

Featured image for “Griffin Plumbing | Preserving Old Fashioned Customer Service”

Griffin Plumbing | Preserving Old Fashioned Customer Service

Featured image for “Local Business Spotlight | Klondike Pizza Of Santa Maria”

Local Business Spotlight | Klondike Pizza Of Santa Maria

Featured image for “Get The Skinny On Your Drainage Diet Plan”

Get The Skinny On Your Drainage Diet Plan

Every Plumbing Problem Deserves A Griffin Solution!

Schedule your appointment today!

Griffin Plumbing, Inc. • (805) 934-1949

Launch Online Scheduler