As professional plumbers in the Las Vegas area we spend lots of time installing new water heaters. If customers followed these 3 simple steps, we guarantee we’d spend less time. Because the service time for installed water heaters would be lengthened by 5 or more years.

3-Steps to Follow By following this easy 5 minute, 3-step annual maintenance plan, you can significantly extend the life of your water heater:

1. Turn Down the Temperature 2. Test the T&P (temperature and pressure) Relief Valve 3. Do a Mini-Flush

Here are the details:

1. Check your water heater temperature setting: Go to the temperature setting dial on your water heater. It will be a knob on the gas valve or a thermostat behind an electric water heater panel. Dial the temperature setting down so it is between 115 to 120 degrees F. This lowered setting will protect the tank from overheating and will reduce the energy used to heat the water.

2. The temperature and pressure relief valve is crucial to ensure safety and proper operation of your water heater. This is a simple but important valve and it can be easily tested: To check the T&P valve simply lift up on the lever part of the way, then release it and let it it rapidly snap back. You should hear a bubbling noise as the valve lets some of the water released into the drain tube. If the T&P valve didn’t make any noise, then it is bad and you need to replace it. So call your professional plumber to do this safely.

3. Removal of sediments from the bottom of the tank is important to prevent rust, corrosion and improve efficiency. Although a full water heater tank draining and flush is best, performing a full flush is a bit of work and requires shutting down the water heater. This mini-flush works well, takes a fraction of the time and allows you to do it while the water heater is running: Place a bucket under the drain valve found near the bottom of the tank. Some drain valves have a handle. Others have a short handle-less stem with a slot for a flat blade screwdriver. Turn the valve counter-clockwise to release a few gallons of water into the bucket. Close the valve by turning it clockwise and drain the bucket.

As a professional plumber in the Las Vegas area we spend lots of time installing new water heaters. If customers follow these 3 simple steps, we guarantee we’d spend less time because the service time for installed water heaters would be extended by 5 or more years.

To prevent early purchase of a new water heater in Las Vegas, we at Oracle plumbing recommend a 3 step water heater maintenance program to our customers.