As a homeowner, you’ve probably heard horror stories about water heaters going bad and needing to be replaced. However, this isn’t something that you need to fear too much. It’s actually pretty simple to keep a water heater in good condition. While it’s good to have a professional perform a full-system flush every year or two, there are some simple tasks that you can do that don’t require any expertise that will help your water heater run well.
For one, you can test the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve. All you have to do is to locate it on the water heater and lift it partway. If it snaps back into place and you hear a gurgling sound, you’re in good shape.
Another thing you can do is a mini flush of the system. For this, all you need is a bucket. Place it under the primary drain, and let the water flow. After a few gallons, you’ll have removed some sediment at the bottom of the tank.
