Water Heaters, Part 1: Checking on the Tank

In our next two blog posts, we’d like to cover the topic of your home’s water heater. It’s a critical piece of equipment found in everyone’s home, so it makes sense to put a little thought into it. In this post, we’ll talk about some simple, cheap tasks that can help you keep an eye on your traditional tank water heater, and in our next post, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of switching to a tankless water heater.

Let’s talk about your traditional tank water heater. Between full system flushes, you might perform a mini flush. You can do this by putting a bucket under the drain and releasing the valve. After a few gallons, you’ll have removed any sediment at the bottom of the tank, which will let it run more efficiently. Additionally, you can check the T&P (temperature & pressure) relief valve by lifting it partway and then letting it snap back in place. If it does snap back in place and you hear a gurgling sound, you’re in good shape.