Annual Water Heater Maintenance Checklist

A water heater is easy to ignore — until the morning it quits. A little yearly upkeep keeps it efficient, heads off surprise failures, and adds years of life, which matters even more with Houston's hard water working against it. Here's the annual routine.

1. Flush the tank (yearly)

Hard water leaves mineral sediment in the bottom of a tank heater. That sediment insulates the burner, wastes energy, and shortens the tank's life — and it's the cause of that popping or rumbling sound. Draining and flushing the tank once a year clears it out. In very hard-water homes, twice a year is even better.

2. Check the anode rod

The anode rod is a sacrificial metal rod that corrodes instead of your tank. Once it's used up, the tank itself starts to rust — which is what eventually causes a leak. Checking it periodically and replacing a spent rod is one of the cheapest ways to extend a water heater's life.

3. Test the T&P relief valve

The temperature & pressure (T&P) relief valve is a critical safety device that releases water if pressure or temperature climbs too high. Lift its lever briefly to confirm it discharges and reseals. It should never be capped or plugged — if it weeps constantly or won't reseal, it needs service.

4. Look it over

• Check for leaks or rust at the base and around the fittings.
• Confirm the temperature is set to a safe, comfortable level (around 120°F is typical).
• Verify the expansion tank (if you have one) for proper pressure.
• Clear the area around the unit so it has proper airflow and access.

If you have a tankless unit

Tankless heaters need maintenance too — periodic descaling to remove the scale hard water leaves on the heat exchanger. Skipping it drops performance and shortens the unit's life; done on schedule, a tankless can last 20 years or more.

Want it done for you?

If you'd rather not drain a tank yourself — or you're not sure it's been done in years — we'll handle the full service and flag anything wearing out before it fails. If your unit is already aging, our guide on whether to repair or replace can help. Talk to our water heater team any day of the week.