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Regardless of the energy source, all water heaters need simple maintenance a few times a year. Servicing the water heater helps prolong the life of both the water heater and hot water supply pipes. Draining sediments from the bottom of the tank and testing the pressure-relief valve every three months are simple tasks that take less than 15 minutes.

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Check for the presence of a floor drain nearby. If you don’t have one, attach a garden hose to the spigot on the heater’s drain valve, which is located a few inches above the floor, and route the other end of the hose to either a bucket or the outside, away from the foundation.

Close the supply valve, which is usually located in pipes above the water heater. Open the drain valve and allow two to three gallons of water to drain from the tank. (More than this isn’t necessary.)

Caution: Draining the entire tank may damage the tank itself or the heating element, depending on whether you have a gas or electric water heater.

Close the drain valve, and then turn the supply valve back on. Detach the hose if necessary.

Test Pressure Relief Valve

The pressure-relief valve is designed to vent pressure inside the water heater before it builds up to dangerous levels. This valve is located on either the side or top of the tank and has a long copper tube leading away from the valve and down toward the floor.

Place a pail under the pipe if you don’t have a floor drain. The valve release is a short metal lever that usually points out at a right angle to the valve. Use your fingers to pull on the end of the lever and rotate it toward the position where it points straight out from the center of the valve. Some effort may be necessary, but don't use tools such as pliers to avoid breaking the lever. Release the lever as soon as water flows from the drain tube. This indicates normal operation.

Make certain the valve is not leaking by watching the drain tube after the lever is released. It's OK if a few drops of water to drip out of the tube for 15 seconds or so. If the drain tube is still dripping after a couple of minutes, the valve may be leaking. A valve that doesn’t open or one that leaks should be inspected and / or replaced by a qualified plumber.