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Seasonal tips · October 7, 2026

Water heater maintenance before winter: 6 checks to do this fall

Your water heater works hardest in winter. Six checks from the Department of Energy, the EPA, the CPSC and the manufacturer's manual, and the signs it is time to call a plumber.

Incoming water is colder in winter, so the water heater works harder just when everyone wants a long hot shower. A few checks this fall can head off a cold morning – or a leak. Always follow your own heater’s manual first.

1. Check the temperature setting

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges setting water heaters to 120 degrees F, and the Department of Energy recommends the same “warm” setting to save energy. The CPSC warns that most adults suffer third-degree burns after two seconds in 150-degree water.

2. Flush out sediment

Sediment settles at the bottom of a tank and gets in the way of heating. EPA WaterSense suggests flushing the water heater once a year; the Department of Energy suggests draining a quart from the tank every three months. Turn off the power or gas first, and let the water cool – it can scald.

3. Test the relief valve

The temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve lets water out if the tank gets too hot or the pressure too high. EPA WaterSense advises checking it at least once a year. If it drips constantly or does not reseat after a test, call a plumber – see water heater leaking.

4. Ask about the anode rod

The anode rod inside the tank corrodes so the tank does not. A. O. Smith’s manual says to inspect anode rods regularly and replace them when significantly depleted. Removing one takes the right tools, so many owners have a plumber check it during a service visit.

5. Gas heater? Keep the area clear

The manufacturer’s manual warns never to store or use gasoline or other flammable liquids near a gas water heater. The CPSC recommends carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home. If you insulate an older gas tank, the Department of Energy says not to cover the top, bottom, thermostat or burner compartment. In California, state law requires residential water heaters to be braced, anchored or strapped against earthquakes.

6. Note its age

The Department of Energy says most water heaters last 10 to 15 years. A. O. Smith’s manual is blunt: all water heaters eventually leak. If yours is in that age range, it is worth planning a replacement before it fails – our tank vs tankless guide covers the choice.

When to call a plumber

Water pooling under the tank, rusty hot water, a relief valve that keeps dripping, or the smell of gas (leave first, then call 911 or your gas utility from outside). Plumbers whose own websites say they repair and install water heaters: Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago.

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Related guides

Water heater leaking? What to do right nowA leaking water heater can be a loose fitting, a relief valve doing its job, or a tank that has failed. Shut it off safely first, then find out which.No hot water? What to check before you callNo hot water usually comes down to fuel, a safety control doing its job, or a heater near the end of its life. Here is how to narrow it down safely.Tank vs tankless water heater: how to chooseReplacing a water heater is the moment to choose the type. Here is how storage tanks, tankless units and heat pump water heaters differ, using figures from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Sources

  1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – Avoiding tap water scalds (PDF)
  2. U.S. Department of Energy – Home energy checklist
  3. U.S. Department of Energy – Energy Savers guide (PDF)
  4. EPA WaterSense – Home maintenance
  5. A. O. Smith – Residential gas water heater manual (PDF)
  6. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – Carbon monoxide information center
  7. California Health and Safety Code section 19211

Published October 7, 2026 by the Plumbers Pages editorial team. General information, not professional advice. More from the blog · Editorial policy

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