Your water heater works hard every day, and a little maintenance goes a long way toward preventing problems and extending its lifespan. With a few simple steps, you can improve efficiency, reduce energy costs, and avoid common issues like no hot water, strange popping noises, or a water heater not working properly. Whether you have a traditional tank or a tankless model, these tips will help keep hot water reliable for your Lawton, Duncan, or Fort Sill home.
1. Set a Safe, Efficient Temperature
Many water heaters are still set higher than necessary, often above 130°F. Adjusting your thermostat to around 115–120°F helps reduce the risk of scalding, cuts standby heat loss, and can help save on your energy bill without sacrificing comfort.
2. Insulate the Tank and Hot Water Pipes
Insulating nearby hot water pipes, especially in unconditioned spaces like the crawl space or basement, is a simple way to reduce heat loss and help hot water reach your faucets.
3. Test the Temperature & Pressure Relief (T&P) Valve
The T&P valve is a critical safety device that releases pressure if your water heater overheats. Testing it once or twice a year helps ensure your system is operating safely and can catch early safety issues.
You can inspect the valve in a few easy steps:
- Locate the T&P valve on the top or side of the tank.
- Place a bucket under the end of the discharge pipe if it doesn’t already drain into a line.
- Carefully lift the lever on the valve for a second, then let it snap back into place.
- You should see or hear a small amount of water flow through the pipe. This means the valve is working.
Stop and call the professional plumbers at Pippin if:
- No water comes out when you lift the lever.
- The valve continues to drip or leak after testing.
- You feel unsure or uncomfortable performing the test yourself.
4. Flush Sediment from the Tank
Flushing your water heater helps remove sediment that can build up over time, causing efficiency loss, overheating, and that “popping” or rumbling noise that many homeowners notice. Doing a simple mini-flush once or twice a year can improve performance and extend the life of your tank.
You can perform a basic mini-flush with these steps:
- Turn off power to an electric water heater at the breaker, or set a gas water heater to “pilot” or a low/safe setting.
- Place a bucket under the drain valve near the bottom of the tank, or attach a garden hose and run it to a safe drain area.
- Carefully open the drain valve by turning it counterclockwise and let 1–2 gallons of water flow out. WARNING: water will be scalding hot. Be extremely careful to avoid burns.
- Close the drain valve by turning it clockwise until it is fully shut, then restore power or return the gas control to its normal setting.
Stop and call the professional plumbers at Pippin if:
- The drain valve is corroded, stuck, or won’t close fully.
- You notice heavy rust, sludge, or very discolored water.
- You feel unsure or uncomfortable performing any of these steps yourself.
5. Schedule Annual Professional Maintenance
Just like your HVAC system, your water heater benefits from a yearly checkup from a qualified plumber. During a tune-up, a Pippin Brothers technician will fully inspect and evaluate each component of your water heater to ensure performance and safety. Not only does water heater maintenance catch early warning signs of a gas water heater not working correctly, but it can also help you decide when to replace a hot water heater versus make a repair.
Maximize your water heater performance with Pippin Brothers. Call 580-699-5662 or contact us online to get started today.