How to Maintain Your Water Heater?

Contrary to popular belief, an electric water heater requires minimal maintenance to remain efficient and durable. Performing a few simple actions regularly can help prevent breakdowns, leaks, or excessive energy consumption.

In this article, discover why and how to effectively maintain your water heater.

Why Maintain a Water Heater?

While maintaining an electric water heater is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. A poorly maintained appliance can quickly lead to inconveniences such as:

  • Reduced performance and less hot water;

·        Higher electricity consumption;

·        Breakdowns, leaks, or malfunctions in the safety valve;

·        Premature wear and tear on the appliance.

Proper maintenance of your electric water heater is essential to ensure optimal comfort in your daily life.

The good news: maintaining an electric water heater is simple and quick! We explain the steps you can take frequently to keep it functioning properly. Additionally, every two years, consider hiring a professional to descale the appliance to preserve its performance and extend its lifespan.

 

How to Maintain Your Electric Water Heater?

Follow these steps to ensure proper maintenance of your water heater: 

When your water heater can easily accessed, considere a monthly maintenance steps

Take 5 minutes to perform the following checks:

  • Operate the safety valve (especially in hard water areas): This ensures it is functioning correctly and prevents limescale buildup. The safety valve is located at the cold water inlet, usually at the bottom of the water heater.
closing valve
  • Check for dripping during heating: The safety valve might drip slightly while the water heater is operating—this is completely normal. However, if it leaks excessively (as shown in the right-side image), consult a professional who can check the pressure and install a pressure reducer if needed. 
valve drop
  • Ensure the safety valve doesn’t “spit”: Drops should not splash onto the outer casing of the water heater.

·        Inspect the connections for leaks: If you notice a leak at the hot or cold water inlets, take immediate action to reseal your appliance. Contact a professional for assistance. For more details, refer to the FAQ: "My water heater is leaking. What should I do?" 

Descale Your Electric Water Heater Every Two Years

Every two years, it’s recommended to have a professional installer perform a thorough descaling.

This process involves:

  • Removing limescale buildup on the heating element;
  • Checking and replacing the corrosion protection anode and the tank gasket if necessary.

Without maintenance, limescale can cause:

  • Reduced hot water availability;
  • Longer heating times;
  • Increased electricity consumption.

 

Key Takeaways for Maintaining an Electric Water Heater

In summary, to keep your electric water heater functioning properly, remember to:

  • Perform simple monthly checks whenever possible;
  • Have your appliance descaled every two years by a professional.