Posted on July 23rd, 2025

 

Hot showers, clean dishes, warm laundry—your water heater works behind the scenes without you giving it much thought.

Most folks don’t think about it until something goes wrong… usually when it’s freezing and you're halfway through shampooing.

But here's the deal: a little attention now can save a lot of hassle later. It doesn’t take a plumber’s license or a toolbox the size of a truck. Just some basic know-how and the right mindset.

This isn’t about obsessing over every drip or dial—it's about getting smart with what you've got. Think of your water heater as a long-term teammate.

Treat it right, and it’ll stick around longer, cost you less, and keep the hot water flowing like clockwork.

Keep on reading, and we’ll show you the simple ways to keep your system humming without the drama—or the cold showers.

 

How Long Does a Water Heater Last with Proper Maintenance?

Most folks don’t give their water heater much thought until they’re hit with a blast of cold water mid-shower. Left to its own devices, the average water heater clocks out after about 3 to 5 years.

That’s assuming it’s ignored the way most are—no tune-ups, no TLC, just heating until it quits. But here's the twist: with just a bit of upkeep, you can stretch that lifespan well past the decade mark—sometimes up to 15 years or more.

The difference comes down to how much gunk you let build up and how often you pay attention to the small stuff. One of the biggest life-extenders? Flushing the tank.

Over time, especially in areas with hard water, minerals settle at the bottom like a stubborn layer of gravel.

That mess doesn’t just sit there quietly—it makes your heater work harder, heats unevenly, and can even cause noisy rumbling or discolored water. Not great.

Flushing the tank once a year clears out all that sediment, keeps the system running smoother, and takes a load off the heating element. Less strain means a longer life.

Then there’s the pressure relief valve. It’s a small part, but it does a huge job: preventing your tank from turning into a hot water cannon if pressure builds up too much.

Testing it once a year is simple—flip the lever and see if water or air comes out. If not, or if it won’t close properly afterward, it’s time to swap it out. Skipping this step is like driving with bald tires—technically possible, but not exactly safe.

Want to make maintenance foolproof? Set up a basic checklist. Scan your heater every few months for rust, leaks, or strange noises. Flush the tank twice a year if your water’s particularly hard.

Test the pressure valve annually, and keep an eye on the anode rod—the metal stick inside the tank that takes the hit so your tank doesn’t corrode. Replace it when it looks chewed up.

Every few years, check insulation to make sure heat (and your money) isn’t leaking out.

With just a little effort, your water heater can stay strong, safe, and steaming for years longer than the average. Your future self—wrapped in a cozy hot shower—will thank you.

 

Professional Maintenance Tips For Efficient Water Heater Performance

Your water heater doesn’t need to work like it’s training for a marathon. Yet without a little guidance, it will push itself too hard, too often—and that’s when performance drops, bills rise, and breakdowns show up at the worst times.

Fortunately, keeping it efficient doesn’t take a degree in engineering. It just takes a few smart habits that any homeowner can handle.

Start with the thermostat. Most units come cranked up too high by default, which wastes energy and invites scalding.

Drop it to 120°F—that’s the sweet spot for comfort, safety, and savings. You’ll use less power, slow mineral buildup, and still have plenty of heat for showers, dishes, and laundry.

Want to go from “functional” to “well-oiled machine”?

Use these five tips straight from professional plumbers:

• Set the thermostat to 120°F to save energy and prevent overheating.

• Insulate the tank and exposed hot water pipes to cut standby heat loss.

• Flush the tank once a year to clear out sediment that drags down performance.

• Test the pressure relief valve annually to avoid dangerous pressure build-up.

• Check the anode rod every 2–3 years and replace it before it corrodes completely.

Each of these tasks pulls weight in its own way, and together they create a system that runs smoother, lasts longer, and eats up less power. For example, insulation is often overlooked, but it's one of the easiest ways to give your heater a break.

A simple insulation blanket around the tank and sleeves on the pipes can make a real dent in energy loss—especially during colder months when your heater is working overtime.

Don’t ignore the visual cues either. Rusty connections, puddles near the base, or odd sounds coming from the tank are signs that something’s off. These are not “ignore and hope” problems.

Checking for leaks and corrosion every few months can help you catch small issues before they wreck the system.

Bottom line: A little upkeep goes a long way. Following these professional tips doesn’t just improve performance—it buys you time, saves money, and keeps the hot water flowing without drama.

Your water heater may not be the latest piece of tech, but when it runs right, it quietly makes life a whole lot more comfortable by not having to budget for a new unit.

 

Special Considerations for Tankless Water Heaters

While most homes run on traditional water heaters with tanks the size of small laundry machines, there’s a growing crowd opting for something sleeker: the tankless water heater.

These systems don’t store gallons of hot water—they heat it on demand, giving you hot water whenever you need it and saving space while they’re at it.

But don’t be fooled by the compact design. Tankless systems come with their own set of maintenance rules, and ignoring them can come back to bite you—fast.

The biggest troublemaker? Hard water. In areas like Lancaster, mineral-rich water loves to clog up your tankless heater’s heat exchanger with scale. That buildup doesn’t just slow things down—it can do real damage.

Descaling is key here. It’s not glamorous, but running a vinegar solution through the system once a year (or getting it professionally flushed) can keep things clean and efficient.

Pair that with a water softener, and you’ll give scale a lot less room to grow in the first place.

Tankless heaters may save space, but they don’t like to feel boxed in. Good ventilation is a must. These units run hot, and if the air around them can’t move freely, you’re asking for trouble.

Keep the area around the unit clear, check for vent blockages, and make sure the gas line (if you have one) isn’t flirting with interruptions.

Here are three pro tips to keep your tankless system in top shape:

• Flush the heat exchanger yearly to remove mineral scale and maintain performance.

• Clean or replace the air intake filter monthly to avoid airflow issues.

• Keep vents and surrounding areas clear to make sure of safe and efficient operation.

Regular inspections matter just as much as with tank-style heaters—maybe even more. Tankless units are full of sensitive components that need room to breathe and stay clean to work properly.

Look for signs of corrosion around fittings, keep dust out of the intake, and don’t let small issues sit. These machines are efficient, but they’re not invincible.

Set up a simple maintenance routine and stick to it. With a little effort, you’ll get smoother operation, fewer surprises, and longer stretches between professional service calls. Plus, you’ll stretch every dollar of that energy savings promise.

 

Keep Your Hot Water Flowing—Schedule Maintenance with Mancia’s Plumbing

Water heater maintenance isn’t just about preventing problems—it’s about getting the most out of your system for as long as possible.

When you stay ahead of sediment buildup, leaks, and wear, your heater runs better, lasts longer, and costs less to operate.

Building a few simple habits—like setting calendar reminders or jotting notes in a maintenance log—can go a long way in keeping things efficient and worry-free.

Still, you don’t have to go it alone. At Mancia’s Plumbing, we help homeowners across Lancaster and surrounding areas take the guesswork out of plumbing care.

From regular inspections to complete water heater replacements, we’re ready to tailor our services to your specific needs.

We also handle a wide range of Plumbing Services, including leak repair, fixture installation, and shower valve work. Take a look at our Work Portfolio to see what we’ve done for local homes just like yours.

If your system’s due for a tune-up—or if you’re just ready to stop guessing and start saving—get in touch.

You can call us directly at (661) 519-7544 or send an email to [email protected]. We’ll help you make a smart plan for long-term performance and peace of mind.

Let’s make sure your water heater keeps doing its job—so you can enjoy hot showers, not hot headaches.