The Ultimate Guide to Water Heater Maintenance in NYC

Your water heater is one of the hardest working appliances in your home. It runs year-round, heating water on demand or keeping a tank hot 24/7. Most homeowners ignore it completely until it stops working, which is usually at the worst possible time. A little bit of preventive maintenance can add years to the life of your unit and save you thousands.

The most important thing you can do is flush your water heater once a year. Over time, sediment and minerals from tap water settle on the bottom of the tank. This layer of sediment reduces efficiency and heat transfer, meaning your unit has to work harder to heat water. It also leads to rust and corrosion that eventually causes leaks. Flushing removes this sediment and keeps everything clean inside. For tank water heaters, we also recommend checking the pressure relief valve annually. This safety device prevents dangerous pressure buildup. If it's stuck or leaking, it needs to be replaced.

If you have an older tank heater, pay attention to the temperature and pressure relief valve. If it's been leaking or you see water pooling around the base of the tank, that's a sign corrosion has started. A slow leak today becomes a flooded basement tomorrow. Replace it before disaster strikes. For tankless water heaters, flush the system every two years to remove mineral buildup from the heat exchanger. This is especially important in New York where our tap water has moderate hardness.

Don't wait for your water heater to fail. A maintenance inspection costs less than $100 and can prevent a $2,000 emergency replacement. Call us to schedule your annual water heater tune-up. We'll flush it, check all the connections, test the relief valve, and let you know if replacement is on the horizon.