Try out these tips to take care of your water heater.
There’s nothing worse than having to take an ice-cold shower. That’s one of the reasons why you should take care of your water heather this winter. However, many homeowners don’t know the first thing about maintaining their water heater. Read on to learn some basic maintenance tips for your water heater.
Know Where It’s Located
Before you can maintain your water heater, you need to know where it is. Many homes have their water heaters in the garage or in the basements of their homes. Once you know where your water heater is, it’s important that you can actually access it. Make sure you clear a path to your water heater and remove any items that prevent you from accessing its plumbing lines.
How to Shut Off You Water
If your water heater is leaking, if you smell gas, or if another emergency arises, you might need to know how to shut off the water. Most water shut-off valves are located above the water heater, normally on the pipes that bring cold water to your water heater. Normally, turning this valve until it closes should be enough to shut off your water so you have time to deal with the other emergency at hand.
How to Drain Your Water Heater
You should drain your water heater annually. Normally you only need to drain a couple of gallons. However, if you see any sediment or debris in the water you drained, you’ll need to do a complete drain and flush of your water heater. To do this, turn off the temperature and completely drain your water heater tank. Then turn on the water while the drain is open and let the water run through. Once you finish the flush, close the drain and let the tank fill back up. Finally, once the tank is full, turn the thermostat back to your preferred temperature.
Try out these easy steps to make sure that your water heater stays in tip-top shape this winter. If you are looking for the insurance coverage you need this winter, turn to the experts at Scautub Agency in Scotia, New York. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you with all your insurance needs. Contact us to get started today.