Early Fall Is a Good Time to Give Your Water Heater Some Attention

We tend to think about our heating systems as soon as the temperatures start to drop, but there’s another hardworking appliance in the house that deserves a little attention this time of year: your water heater.

Early fall is a great time to give it a once-over. As the weather cools, the water entering your home gets colder, which means your water heater has to work harder to bring it up to temperature. Add in more hot showers, baths and general indoor time, and a small problem now can become a much bigger inconvenience in the middle of winter.

A little preventative maintenance can help keep your water heater running efficiently and, hopefully, help you catch trouble before you're standing in a cold shower in January.

1. Clear the Area Around It

Start with an easy one. Head down to the basement or utility room and take a look at what has accumulated around your water heater.

Boxes, paint cans, cleaning supplies and miscellaneous household storage have a way of migrating toward mechanical equipment. Keep the area around the unit clear so you can easily inspect it and so there's adequate airflow around equipment that requires ventilation.

While you're there, take a good look at the floor around the tank. Any unexplained moisture, rust or staining is worth investigating.

2. Check the Temperature

For many households, 120°F is a good water-heater setting. It provides plenty of hot water while reducing the risk of scalding and avoiding the energy waste that comes with keeping water unnecessarily hot.

If your water suddenly seems much hotter or cooler than usual, however, don't just adjust the thermostat and forget about it. A noticeable change can sometimes point to a thermostat, heating element or other issue that needs attention.

3. Consider Flushing the Tank

Over time, minerals and sediment can collect at the bottom of a traditional tank-style water heater. That buildup can reduce efficiency and is sometimes responsible for the popping or rumbling noises you hear coming from an older tank.

Periodically flushing the tank can help remove that sediment. If you routinely maintain your water heater and are comfortable doing it, follow the manufacturer's instructions for your particular model.

If the tank hasn't been flushed in years, is quite old, or you're not sure what you're doing, this may be a good job to leave to a plumber. Older drain valves don't always appreciate being opened after sitting untouched for a decade.

4. Look at the Pipes and Insulation

If your water heater is located in an unfinished or chilly basement, insulating accessible hot-water pipes can reduce heat loss as water travels through the house. Foam pipe insulation is inexpensive and relatively easy to install.

Some older tank-style water heaters may also benefit from an insulating blanket, but don't automatically wrap every tank you see. Many newer models are already well insulated, and additional insulation may not be recommended. Check the manufacturer's instructions first, particularly with gas-fired units where vents, controls and air intakes must remain unobstructed.

5. Don't Forget the Safety Components

Tank-style water heaters have a temperature and pressure relief valve designed to release water if pressure or temperature inside the tank becomes unsafe.

This is an important safety device, but it's also one I don't recommend experimenting with if you're unsure of its condition, especially on an older water heater. If you notice leaking or corrosion around the valve or discharge pipe, have it inspected by a professional. A plumber can also check the valve as part of routine water-heater maintenance.

6. Ask About the Anode Rod

Inside most traditional tank water heaters is an anode rod designed to corrode before the steel tank does. It's a relatively small component that can have a big impact on the life of the water heater.

Anode rods don't last forever. If your tank is several years old and you've never had the rod inspected, ask about it the next time you have the system serviced. Replacing a depleted rod can help protect a tank that's otherwise in good condition.

7. Pay Attention to What Your Water Heater Is Telling You

Water heaters usually give you some warning when things aren't quite right. Keep an eye — and an ear — out for:

• Rust or corrosion around fittings

• Water collecting around the bottom of the tank

• Rumbling, popping or other new noises

• Rust-colored or cloudy hot water

• Hot water that runs out faster than it used to

• Water that takes noticeably longer to heat

• Unexplained changes in water temperature

None of these automatically means you need a new water heater, but they're good reasons to have it checked before the problem gets worse.

8. Know the Age of Your Water Heater

If you have no idea how old your water heater is, fall is a good time to find out. Check the manufacturer's label for the model and serial number; the manufacturer can usually help you determine the date it was made.

Traditional tank water heaters don't last forever, and once yours gets into the 10-year-plus range, it's smart to pay closer attention to its condition and start thinking ahead. That doesn't mean replacing a perfectly good water heater simply because it had a birthday. It means avoiding the unpleasant surprise of having an aging tank fail without a plan.

If replacement is on the horizon, you'll also have more choices when you're planning ahead than you will during an emergency. Today's options include high-efficiency tank models, heat-pump water heaters and tankless systems, depending on your home and your family's needs.

A Little Fall Maintenance Goes a Long Way

We spend plenty of time getting our homes ready for colder weather — cleaning gutters, servicing furnaces, sealing drafts and putting away the patio furniture. Your water heater deserves a spot on that fall checklist too.

Take ten minutes to look it over now. Check for leaks and corrosion, clear the surrounding area and think about when it was last serviced. A little attention in September or October can help keep the hot water flowing when you really don't want to be thinking about it in January.

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.

The 2027 Interior Colors of the Year

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to bring more color into your home, 2027 might be your year. Interior paint companies have been announcing their “Colors of the Year” over the past several weeks, and the choices feel fresh, warm, and remarkably easy to live with, offering plenty of inspiration whether you’re planning a full renovation or just looking to refresh a room.

After years of white, gray and greige dominating interiors, color continues to make its way back into our homes. But this isn’t a return to anything overly bright or bold. The 2027 palette is earthy, muted, and inviting with greens, blues and warm natural shades that add personality while still feeling timeless. Here’s a look at some of my favorites: 

Behr: Grounded

Behr's Grounded is an earthy olive green with mossy tones and subtle brown undertones. It's rich without being overly dark and feels more like a neutral than a traditional green.

This is one I could see working particularly well on kitchen cabinets, built-ins, an office or even throughout a smaller room. Pair it with natural wood and warm whites and it feels current without screaming "2027."

Glidden: Artifact

Glidden went in a cooler direction with Artifact, a soft, muted aqua that falls somewhere between blue and gray.

Don't picture tropical turquoise. Artifact is much quieter and more sophisticated. It could work nicely in a bathroom, bedroom or living space, especially alongside warm wood, cream and other earthy colors.

Valspar: Cottage Door

Valspar's Cottage Door is another blue, but this one has enough gray in it to keep it from feeling overly sweet or coastal.

It's an easy color to imagine living with for a long time. It could work across an entire room, but it's also a good candidate for cabinetry, a bathroom vanity or built-ins if you aren't ready to commit four walls to blue.

Dutch Boy: Deep Rooted

Here's where things get a little more interesting. Dutch Boy chose Deep Rooted, an earthy orange that brings some real warmth into the mix.

This isn't bright pumpkin orange. Think clay, terracotta and the warm tones you find in natural materials. It would make a great accent in a dining room, mudroom or on a piece of furniture, and for the brave among us, it could make a pretty memorable room.

Sherwin-Williams: Celery

Sherwin-Williams chose Celery, a light herbal green that feels fresh without venturing into mint territory. Of all this year's picks, this might be one of the easiest to use throughout a home. It's light enough for larger spaces but still gives you noticeably more color than another coat of off-white.

What the 2027 Picks Tell Us

If there's one clear takeaway this year, it's that color is back, but we're using it thoughtfully. The cool gray interiors that dominated for years continue to give way to warmer, more natural colors. Greens are still everywhere, but blues, clay tones and other muted colors are joining them. Instead of choosing between "neutral" and "color," homeowners are increasingly using colors that can behave like neutrals.

What I like most is that these shades don't require a complete redesign of your house. Most work well with the things many of us already have: hardwood floors, stone, warm wood cabinetry, cream upholstery and natural materials.

How to Bring Color Home

Remember, you don't need to paint an entire room olive green just because trends say so. If you're curious about these colors, start with a smaller project. Built-ins, a bathroom vanity, kitchen island, interior door or even the back of a bookcase can completely change a room.

And always test before you commit. Greens and blues in particular can look dramatically different depending on natural light, flooring, and the other finishes in your house. A color you love on your phone may be a very different beast once it's covering 400 square feet of wall. 

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 odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Does Your House Need Gutter Guards

September is one of those months when I start looking up at the trees around my house and thinking about what’s coming. Right now, the leaves are still mostly where they belong. Give it another few weeks, though, and they’ll be on the lawn, in the driveway, and, of course, filling up the gutters.

That makes now a good time to ask a question I hear from homeowners pretty regularly: Does my house need gutter guards?

My answer? It really depends on your house. Gutter guards are designed to keep leaves and other debris from getting into your gutters while still allowing rainwater to flow through. They can be a great addition to many homes, particularly here in Connecticut, where many of us have large, mature trees close to our houses. But that doesn’t mean every house needs them.

To decide if yours is one of them, the first thing I’d do is simply look around your property. Do you have large trees close to the house? If branches extend over or near your roof, your gutters are probably collecting more than just leaves. Pine needles, acorns, seed pods, twigs, and other debris can all end up there. If you're cleaning your gutters several times between September and December, gutter guards may make that job considerably easier.

Next, think about how difficult your gutters are to reach. A ranch with easily accessible gutters is one thing. A two- or three-story house with steep rooflines is another. Cleaning gutters from a ladder can be dangerous, and the harder your gutters are to reach, the more valuable it can be to reduce how frequently they need attention.

Another thing to think about is if your gutters clog regularly. This is probably the biggest clue. If you notice water spilling over the sides of your gutters during a rainstorm, don't ignore it. Sometimes the problem is as simple as a clog, although there can be other causes. Either way, water isn't being directed through your gutter and down your downspout; that's something worth addressing.

Lastly, what kind of debris are you dealing with? Not every property has the same problem. Big maple and oak leaves are different from pine needles or smaller debris. There are several styles of gutter guards available, and what works well for one house isn't necessarily the best choice for another.

There's also an important misconception I always like to clear up: Gutter guards don't mean you can forget about your gutters forever. Even with guards, leaves and debris can collect on top. Smaller material can sometimes get through. Gutters and downspouts should still be checked periodically to make sure water is flowing properly. The goal is to reduce maintenance, not eliminate it.

If you're thinking about adding gutter guards, now is a particularly good time to take care of it. Start by having the gutters cleaned and inspected. Make sure they're secure, that there aren't damaged or sagging sections, and that your downspouts are draining properly. There's no sense putting a new system over gutters that already have a problem.

Then take a look at the trees around your house and think back to last fall. Were you constantly cleaning gutters? Did you have overflowing water every time it rained? Are your gutters high enough that cleaning them has become a job you'd rather not tackle now, or in the future as you and your house age?

If you're answering yes to those questions, your house may be a very good candidate for gutter guards. It's a lot nicer to figure that out on a September afternoon than halfway up a ladder with a handful of wet leaves in November.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Have a question? Email info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” For your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for general guidance only.