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.

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.

This Week’s Heat Wave Has Your Windows Sweating

If your windows have been covered in moisture this week, you’re not alone. After several days of Connecticut heat and humidity, plenty of homeowners have noticed foggy glass, water droplets, or condensation collecting on their windows. It’s one of those things that catches your eye and makes you wonder if something is wrong.

The good news? Sometimes it’s completely normal. When it’s hot and humid outside and your air conditioner is working hard to keep your home cool, moisture naturally forms when warm, humid air meets the cooler surface of the glass. During a stretch of weather like we’ve had this week, seeing a little condensation on your windows isn’t unusual. In fact, it’s often just a sign that your air conditioning is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.

The trick is knowing when condensation is simply a byproduct of extreme weather and when it’s trying to tell you something about your home.

If the moisture disappears as the day goes on, you’re probably in good shape. But if your windows stay wet throughout the day, water is pooling on the sill, or you notice paint beginning to peel or wood trim feeling damp, it’s worth taking a closer look. The same goes if you start seeing mold, mildew, or that unmistakable musty smell around your windows.

One of the biggest warning signs is condensation trapped between the panes of glass. If you can’t wipe the fog away from either side, the insulated seal inside the window has likely failed. Once that happens, the window loses much of its insulating value, and replacement is usually the best long-term solution.

Sometimes the windows aren’t actually the problem at all. They’re simply the first place where excess moisture shows itself.

Everyday activities like cooking, showering, doing laundry, and even running the dishwasher add moisture to the air inside your home. During a humid week, that moisture has nowhere to go if your home isn’t ventilating properly. Basements can make the problem even worse, especially if they’re naturally damp or don’t have a dehumidifier running.

Fortunately, there are a few simple things homeowners can do to help. Run the exhaust fans in your bathrooms and kitchen during and after showers or cooking. If you have a dehumidifier, this is the time of year to put it to work, especially in the basement. Make sure your air conditioning system is clean, the filter has been changed, and it’s running efficiently. Even opening blinds and curtains during the day can improve airflow around your windows and help moisture evaporate more quickly.

It’s also worth taking a few minutes to inspect the weatherstripping around your windows and doors. Worn seals allow warm, humid air to sneak inside, making condensation more likely and forcing your air conditioner to work even harder.

If your home still has older single-pane windows or early double-pane units, they may simply be showing their age. Modern energy-efficient windows do a much better job of reducing condensation, improving comfort, and lowering energy costs throughout the year. While replacement isn’t always necessary, persistent condensation can be a sign that your windows are no longer performing the way they should.

This week’s heat wave won’t last forever, but it does offer a good reminder that our homes are constantly giving us clues about how they’re performing. Most of the time, a little condensation is nothing to lose sleep over. But when it becomes persistent, widespread, or starts causing damage, it’s worth paying attention before a small issue turns into an expensive repair.

Sometimes your windows are just reacting to the weather. Other times, they’re asking for help. Knowing the difference can save you a lot of headaches down the road.

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 at 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.