Winter will be here before you know it. That’s why now is the perfect time to make sure your home is ready for the cold weather that winter will bring. One way that you can ensure your home is ready for winter is to do what you can to make sure your home’s hot water heater is prepared to get through the cold weather months without giving you trouble.
Tips for Preparing Your Hot Water Heater for Winter
Having your hot water heater break down when it’s freezing outside could be disastrous. It could leave you without hot water for bathing, cooking, and cleaning. It could also result in damage to other parts of your home’s plumbing system. The following are a few tips that can help prevent your hot water heater from giving you problems this winter:
- Flush your water heater – Over time, sediment can build up in water heaters. It can lead to water heaters working less efficiently and shorten the lifespan of the water heaters. Draining and flushing your water heater can help prevent sediment from damaging it and help ensure it is in the best shape possible to make it through winter. A licensed plumber can drain and flush your water heater. Plus, a plumber can make sure that the water heater is performing properly, including checking the temperature and pressure relief valve.
- Insulate your water heater – Slip-on foam pipe insulation can help protect your water heater and ensure it works properly all winter long. Without insulation, cold air can cause your pipes to freeze and allow heat loss from your hot water pipes. Applying slip-on foam pipe insulation to any exposed pipes connected to your hot water heater can help protect it from the cold and keep it running smoothly throughout the winter.
- Set your water heater’s thermostat – Keep your water heater’s thermostat set at around 120 degrees. You shouldn’t set it any higher than that because of a variety of reasons. First, setting the temperature higher won’t help you get hot water faster in your kitchen and bathrooms. Second, setting the temperature that high can pose a scalding risk to you and anyone else who uses hot water in your home. Third, the hotter the water in your water heater’s tank is, the quicker it loses heat when it’s in stand-by mode. When the water in your water heater’s tank loses heat, it means that your water heater must cycle on and off more often to heat it back up. This can overwork your water heater, resulting in wear and tear and making it more likely to break down. Plus, cycling on and off more often is wasteful and can lead to higher utility bills.
Need Help Preparing Your Hot Water Heater for Winter? Reach Out to Our Experienced Plumbers in Memphis Today!
For nearly 15 years, Smith’s Plumbing Services has been the go-to plumbing services provider for residential and commercial customers in Memphis and its surrounding communities. We have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and have built a reputation in the community as one of the top plumbing services providers in the area. In addition, we offer 24/7 emergency plumbing services, discounts, and upfront pricing, which means you never have to worry about surprise charges showing up on your final bill.
To learn more about Smith’s Plumbing Services, and why our customers love us, read our customers’ reviews.
Give us a call at (901) 290-1110 or contact us online today for more information about our water heater maintenance, repair, and replacement services in Memphis.