Regardless of whether your home’s water heater is placed in your garage or in an unfinished basement, it will be exposed to colder water and freezing temperatures. Because a water heater’s job is to provide warm water, you might assume that its internal heat source will protect it from damage. However, winter weather conditions can be detrimental to your water heater in several ways. These tips will help you protect your water heater from damage this winter.

Insulate the Tank

If you have a tank water heater, the tank must be properly insulated. Insulation allows the water heater to function more efficiently, which ultimately places less strain on the system’s hardworking parts. If your tank is already insulated, check the insulation to ensure that it is still in good condition. Replacing damaged and worn insulation can reduce the likelihood of repair issues or even a complete breakdown this winter.

Cover and Protect the Pipes

The water leading to your water heater will be colder than usual during the winter months. In fact, it can be near freezing. Your water heater must work hard to heat this water to your ideal temperature. In addition to unnecessarily draining energy and inflating your energy bills, this extra work causes the system’s parts to work for longer periods to perform their essential tasks. Simply wrapping the pipes with insulation minimizes their exposure to cold temperatures. This prevents the water entering the water heater from getting too cold.

Remove Sediment Buildup

Not all preventative maintenance steps for your water heater are directly related to cold weather conditions. Throughout the year, minerals and sediments in your water settle at the bottom of the tank. This sediment directly impacts the supply of hot water available. It also increases energy bills and can result in unusual sounds from the water heater. Because it can affect your water heater’s functionality, sediment can cause unnecessary damage and a potential breakdown. Draining the water heater once or twice per year is essential for optimal system performance.

Complete an Annual Inspection

Over time, the various parts of your water heater can wear out, rust, or corrode. These issues may go unnoticed initially. However, as the damage worsens, you will begin to notice signs such as higher energy bills, limited access to hot water, and eventually water heater repair issues. An annual inspection completed by a plumber is the easy way to identify developing problems. By addressing these problems before winter is in full swing, you can help your water heater function better and be more reliable.

Being without hot water in the winter months can be downright miserable, but you can take steps to prevent a major water heater breakdown. Schedule an appointment with Kyle Plumbing in Deerfield Beach, FL, for water heater repair service today.