Hot Water Heater Maintenance: Winter Is Coming

As temperatures drop, ensuring your home is ready for the colder months becomes crucial. One appliance that often gets overlooked is the hot water heater. A little preparation now can prevent unwelcome surprises when you need hot water the most.

Here’s how you can prepare your water heater for winter:

1. Drain and Flush Your Tank

Over time, sediment collects in your water heater, reducing its efficiency and lifespan. Draining and flushing the tank twice a year helps prevent this buildup. Late fall is a perfect time for this task.

• Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Turn off your water heater and allow it to cool.

2. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve and run the other end to a bucket.

3. Open the valve and let the water drain.

4. If the water is discolored or contains sediment, continue refilling and draining until it runs clear.

5. Close the valve, disconnect the hose, and restart the unit.

2. Adjust the Temperature

Keep the thermostat at 120°F to balance efficiency and safety. If you’re planning to leave home for a few days or more, lower the temperature to save energy. For every 10°F you lower, you can save about 5% on energy costs.

3. Insulate for Energy Efficiency

Cold temperatures can affect your water heater’s efficiency. Insulate the tank and exposed pipes to retain heat:

• Use a fiberglass blanket for the tank, avoiding vents or valve openings.

• Cover pipes with foam or fiberglass insulation.

This simple step can reduce heat loss and protect your unit from condensation issues.

4. Check for Leaks

Inspect the valves and fittings for any leaks. Tighten loose connections, or replace faulty parts if necessary. Always shut off the water supply before making any repairs.

5. Call in the Pros

If your water heater is over 8-12 years old or if maintenance feels overwhelming, consider hiring a plumber for a professional inspection. Winter is a busy season for service providers, so schedule your appointment early to avoid delays.

6. Know When to Replace

A failing water heater can lead to unexpected cold showers or costly water damage. Replacement costs vary and really depend on the model, tank size, and your home’s needs. Research your options and don’t forget to check out EnergizeCT for rebate options. Most importantly, don’t wait until it’s too late. Taking these steps now ensures your water heater runs smoothly all winter long, saving you stress and money.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visitwww.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

A Fall Maintenance To Do List

As the days get shorter and outdoor projects become harder to tackle, now’s the perfect time to take care of a few key tasks before the colder weather sets in. Here are my top five tips to prepare your home for fall and winter.

1. Clear Those Gutters Falling leaves are just around the corner, and they’ll quickly clog your gutters and downspouts. If you've been thinking about installing gutter guards, now’s the time! These will prevent debris buildup and spare you the hassle of frequent clean-outs. Clean, functional gutters are essential to channel water away from your home and avoid potential damage.

2. Check Your Doors Stiff, hard-to-open doors are a sign that cooler temperatures are already having an effect. As the weather shifts and wood contracts, gaps can form, allowing cold air to seep inside. Make sure your door sweep is in top shape, and consider adding weather stripping to seal any cracks between the door and its frame.

3. Assess Your Insulation Many homes I visit are under-insulated, which creates discomfort in both winter and summer. Adequate insulation helps maintain a steady temperature throughout the house. If your second floor is consistently warmer than the first, it’s a good indication that your home could benefit from more insulation.

4. Inspect Your Roof Now is an ideal time to check your roof for any damaged shingles or issues around the chimney flashing. Snow lingers on roofs far longer than rain, making it easier for leaks to develop during the winter. Addressing small roof problems now can prevent larger, more expensive repairs later.

5. Evaluate Your Windows Using a thermal camera, I often find homes losing a lot of heat through old wood sash or aluminum windows. Replacing them with energy-efficient vinyl windows can make a noticeable difference. And the added bonus? Many vinyl windows come with tilt-in sashes for effortless cleaning, which we love at my house.

6. Get Your Hot Water Heater Tuned It’s not an outside project but if your hot water heater isn’t working when you need it, it’s going to make life very uncomfortable. Make an appointment now to have your systems flushed and inspected before the season gets too busy, or DIY it if you’re comfortable doing the work. Either way, don’t wait until it’s too late.

Owning a home means regular upkeep, but it’s an investment that pays off in comfort and energy savings. By taking a few simple steps now, you can enjoy a cozier home this winter—and keep those utility bills in check.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company founded in 1975. Have questions? Email info@odonnellbros.com with “Ask the Pro” in the subject line. All inquiries may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Hot Water Heater Maintenance for the Winter

Winter is still a long way off but the end of summer is a good time to start tackling cooler weather maintenance tasks. One of my priorities is to do a thorough check-up of my hot water heater to ensure I don’t have issues when I really need it. 

Major appliance maintenance might seem complicated, but if you haven’t had issues in the past, a simple check-up and clean-out can really help your hot water heater run more efficiently while lengthening its life. 

As a water heater operates, it collects sediment that can cause decay if left in the tank over time. Drain your water heater at least twice a year to get rid of any buildup, which will prevent corrosion and increase the machine’s energy efficiency. I like to do this in the fall and early spring, before and after the busy season.

First, turn off the unit and give it plenty of time to cool down. Then, using a garden hose and pump, drain the water into a bucket. If the bucket becomes filled with brown, sediment-tainted water, continue to refill and drain your heater until the water looks clean again. When you’re in the clear, you can disconnect your hose and turn the unit back on.

Keep your water heater at a steady 120 degrees and lower it down if you’re planning on leaving the house for three days or more. For every 10 degrees that you decrease the temperature, you’ll save five percent in energy costs.

Insulate the tank and pipes with fiberglass. For the tank, fit a fiberglass blanket using foil tape, but be sure not to cover any valve or pipe openings. For the pipes, you can use fiberglass wrap or foam insulation. By adding a layer of insulation to your water heater, you’ll keep the warmth from escaping into the air and you’ll protect the machine from condensation in the warmer months. 

If you have a valve that’s leaking, make sure that the fittings are nice and tight. If anything is loose, you might have to replace the valves or fittings. You can find the parts you’ll need at a local hardware store – just don’t forget to shut off the water before fitting them!

Remember, working with electric or gas appliances can be dangerous. If you’re not familiar with how your unit operates or if you’re not comfortable with this kind of work, contact a plumber for a routine maintenance check.  Just keep in mind that service pros are busier than ever so you’ll want to book an appointment now to get in before the season kicks off. 

The average lifecycle of a water heater is about eight to twelve years and they can cost anywhere from $300 for an electric tank system to well over $1,000 for a tankless energy efficient natural gas appliance. If you’re in the market for a new machine, do your research and make sure you maintain it regularly to ensure that it will go the distance. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.