For Calgary homeowners, a hot water tank you can count on is as important as water itself.

Your hot water tank keeps your home running comfortably. From morning showers to dishwashing and laundry, your family relies on hot water throughout your daily routine.

While most hot water tanks will last between 8 and 12 years, it’s regular maintenance that will keep yours running efficiently and prevent breakdowns. A few simple maintenance steps can also extend your water tank’s lifespan and keep it from having unexpected problems.

In this complete hot water tank maintenance guide, we’ll go over simple, step-by-step instructions for maintaining your hot water tank, in a way that anyone can do it.  Let’s go over everything you need to know, including when it’s time to call in the professionals.

Understanding Your Hot Water Tank: Age, Type, and Warning Signs

Your first step in maintaining your hot water tank is knowing its age, type, and recognizing common warning signs of trouble.

Checking the age can take a bit of work, but it’s not that hard. If you’ve moved into a home and didn’t have it installed yourself, you can find out the age by checking the serial number on your water heater’s manufacturer label.

From the serial number, you can use our handy guide to help decipher the year your hot water tank was made.

For the type, water heaters can have tanks that store hot water, or be tankless and heat water on demand.

This guide covers traditional hot water tanks, the kind that usually take up space in your basement.

These hot water tanks can run on gas, electricity, or oil. Capacities for tanks can range from 20 to 80 gallons (about 75 to 300 L). Gas powered hot water tanks will usually last 8–12 years, electric powered tanks 10–15 years, and tankless water heaters can last 20 years or longer.

Once you know the type of hot water tank you’re working with and how old it is, you can start to look for warning signs that it needs a little TLC, and have a better idea of when you should start thinking about a replacement.

Some of these warning signs can include:

• Inconsistent water temperature: Hot water in your home that doesn’t keep a steady temperature could mean you have a heating element that’s failing or sediment build-up in your tank.
• Weird noises: Rumbling or popping sounds in your hot water tank probably mean you have sediment at the bottom of your tank.
• Water discoloration: Rust-coloured water (or water that tastes metallic) can mean corrosion inside your tank or an issue with your anode rod.
• Leaks: Any leaks or water pooling around your tank could be from a crack in your tank or a loose seal.
• Low water pressure: Lower than normal water pressure might be sediment or a mineral build up clogging your tank or pipes.
• Hot water running out quickly: If your hot water runs out faster than usual, you could have a problem with your heating elements, or sediment buildup could be taking up space in your tank.
• Pilot light issues: If your pilot light (on gas powered tanks) won’t stay lit, you might have a faulty thermocouple. It could also be an issue with your gas line.

If you’re noticing any of these signs, your best bet is to have a professional inspection and servicing or repairs done. If you know your hot water tank is nearing the end of its life, a new, more efficient tank installation might be the way to go.

Essential Annual Maintenance Tasks for Calgary Homeowners

With that out of the way, let’s go over some of the more simple tasks you can take on yourself as part of your water heater maintenance routine. Keeping on top of these will help your hot water tank run smoothly and efficiently and extend its lifespan. They’ll also save you money on repairs in the long run.

Here are some annual maintenance tasks that anyone with some basic tools can do:

1. Flush the tank

The build-up of minerals and other sediment at the bottom of your hot water tank will damage the heating elements over time. It can also lower your tank’s hot water capacity, giving you less hot water and running less efficiently than it should be.

To flush it:

• Turn off your hot water tank’s cold water supply and power switch and let the tank cool. This is vitally important as the hot water from your tank can scald you!
• Attach a hose to the drain valve and direct the other end somewhere you can safely drain water.
• Open the drain valve, turn the cold water supply back on, and flush until the water coming out of the hose turns clear.
• Turn the cold water supply off again.
• Then close the drain valve and turn the power and cold water back on.That’s it!For a hard water area like Calgary, you might want to flush your tank more than once a year. This is a very important step in hot water tank maintenance.

2. Check the anode rod

The anode rod prevents rust by attracting corrosive elements. Inspect it every 2 to 3 years and replace it if more than half of its diameter has corroded. If you use a lot of hot water, you might want to check it annually. Use a wrench to remove it, give it a look, and replace it with a new one if it’s time.

3. Inspect the temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve

The T&P relief valve prevents your tank from over-pressurizing or overheating.

Test your T&P relief valve by lifting the valve lever which should let some water run out. If it doesn’t release any water or it leaks continuously, have it replaced.

A non-functioning T&P valve can let a dangerous amount of pressure build up. The released water can be hot, so handle this one with care.

4. Adjust the thermostat

Set your hot water tank’s thermostat to 49°C (120°F) to keep it from scalding. This is also the best temperature for energy efficiency.

Setting it too high can cause excessive wear on your heating elements. If you have young children, setting the temperature a little lower can be even safer.

Check the actual water temperature using a thermometer at a nearby tap to make sure your thermostat is working accurately.

5. Clean the tank exterior

This one is simple enough, but it can prevent rust and other problems down the road. Use a damp cloth and wipe down your water tank’s exterior, and make sure nothing is blocking the air intakes for gas-powered tanks.

6. Check the drain valve cap

Your drain valve cap prevents leaks from the drain valve. Give it a quick inspection, and if it’s cracked or leaking, replace it.

When to Call Son-Rise: Professional Maintenance Requirements

While the above maintenance steps can be done by almost any homeowner, some hot water tank issues need professional expertise.

On top of that, many homeowners just prefer to leave this kind of annual maintenance to the professionals.

At Son-Rise Plumbing & Gasfitting, our friendly, experienced team provides full hot water tank and hot water heater inspections and maintenance services. We’ve been working with hot water tanks in Calgary homes for close to 40 years, so we know exactly what to look for.

Our fully licensed team uses advanced diagnostic tools to find and fix problems, keeping your hot water working as efficiently as it possibly can.

We also inspect your tank and surrounding plumbing for water leaks, making sure you have nothing to worry about.

We also specialize in helping homeowners choose the right high-efficiency hot water tank if they decide to upgrade, which can be a smart choice for Calgary homeowners looking to save on long-term energy bills.

If you notice any of the following, give us a call:

• Leaks or water pooling around your tank
• Unusual noises
• Hot water that isn’t always hot
• Hot water running out quicker than usual
• Rust-coloured water
• Rust or corrosion on your hot water tank or surrounding pipes
• A pilot light that won’t stay lit (for gas heaters)

Or, if you’d rather just leave your annual hot water tank maintenance to us, we’d be happy to schedule a visit.

Extending Your Tank’s Lifespan: Tips from Calgary’s Plumbing Experts

There are a few additional steps you can take that will significantly extend the lifespan of your hot water tank. Here’s what we recommend:

• Install a water softener: Calgary’s hard water means quicker mineral build-up inside your tank. A water softener reduces scaling and improves efficiency, which can help your tank last years longer and lessen the need to flush so often. Pair a water softener with descaling treatments for even better protection.
• Use a timer for electric models: Installing a timer can lower your energy usage (and your energy bills) by limiting the hours your heater operates. This can work well if you know that no one is home during the day, or if you tend to only use hot water at certain times.
• Replace worn out parts: Don’t delay on having small repairs done. Replacing parts like the anode rod or T&P valve will avoid bigger issues down the road. For gas water heaters, make sure your burner assembly is clean. Having clean components will help your hot water tank run efficiently for years to come.
• Schedule inspections: Professional maintenance every 1 to 2 years will make sure potential problems are caught early, which will save you money. During these inspections, a plumber can recommend upgrades or adjustments to improve your hot water tank’s performance.

Seasonal Considerations for Alberta Homes

Calgary’s sometimes extreme weather can have an impact on your hot water tank’s performance.

During winter, you can lower the amount of heat lost by insulating your tank and the surrounding pipes. Pre-cut insulation sleeves are available at RONA and Home Depot and are easy to install. Insulating your pipes will also remove any worry about them freezing during a cold snap or furnace outage.

If your hot water tank is located in a space that doesn’t get much heating, you can install a heater blanket for extra protection.

In the summer, you can lower your energy use by turning your hot water tank’s thermostat down slightly if you aren’t using that much hot water. You can also regularly inspect your outdoor vents and flues to make sure they’re clear and free from debris.

For vacation homes or properties left unattended during winter, draining your hot water tank and shutting off the water supply is a great idea. Installing a smart thermostat for water heaters can let you adjust settings remotely, perfect if you’re away often.

Prefer to Leave Your Hot Water Tank Maintenance to the Pros?

By following this guide, you can handle basic hot water tank maintenance tasks yourself and recognize when it’s time to call the professionals.

If you prefer to leave your hot water maintenance to us, we’d love to serve you.

With nearly 40 years of industry experience in hot water tank repair, installation, and maintenance, we’re dedicated to serving Calgary with the best hot water tank services out there.

Call us at 403-274-1166 to talk to one of our specialists or get in touch with us online!