Why does a water heater need maintenance?
Minerals in the water settle out when it is heated. In a tank they form a layer of sediment on the bottom, between the burner and the water. In a tankless they coat the inside of the heat exchanger. Either way the heater works harder, makes less hot water and wears faster.
What do you do on a tank water heater?
- Flush the sediment from the tank.
- Check the anode rod, the part that protects the tank from rust, and replace it if it is spent.
- Test the temperature and pressure relief valve.
- Check the burner, the pilot or igniter, and the vent.
- Check the gas and water connections and the shutoff valve.
- Check the earthquake straps and the expansion tank.
What do you do on a tankless water heater?
- Descale the heat exchanger by circulating a cleaning solution through it.
- Clean the inlet water filter.
- Check the burner, the igniter and the venting.
- Check the condensate drain on condensing models.
- Read the unit's stored error history.
See tankless repair if the unit is already showing an error.
How often should it be done?
Once a year is the usual advice from the manufacturers, and more often where the water is hard. A water softener slows scale build-up.
What are the signs it is overdue?
- Rumbling, popping or banging from the tank.
- Less hot water than there used to be.
- Water that takes longer to heat.
- A tankless that swings between hot and cold or shows a scale error.
Can an old tank that was never flushed be flushed now?
We look at it first. On a very old tank with heavy sediment, the honest answer is sometimes that the money is better saved for a new heater. See repair or replace.
Is this included in the membership?
Friendly Gold Membership gives 10% off every repair. See the membership page for what it covers.
Who is Friendly Services?
A family-owned plumbing company with over 20 years in Hayward. License CSLB #1156315 (C-36 plumbing), $1M general liability cover and workers' comp. Our own work has a five-year workmanship warranty, and we have 100+ five-star reviews online.