Once a year for a conventional tank, and once a year for tankless as well — though for tankless in Albuquerque, that annual visit is a descaling and it genuinely determines whether the unit reaches 20 years or fails at 8.

What Tank Maintenance Covers

  • Flush the tank to remove mineral sediment from the bottom
  • Inspect the anode rod and replace it when it is consumed
  • Test the temperature and pressure relief valve — a safety device that can seize shut without any outward sign
  • Verify the temperature setting is around 120 degrees
  • Check combustion, venting, and the burner on gas units
  • Inspect connections, the expansion tank, and the drain valve for corrosion or seepage
  • Check incoming water pressure, since excess pressure stresses the tank

Why Flushing Matters So Much Here

Albuquerque water carries substantial dissolved calcium and magnesium. Inside a tank those minerals settle as sediment on the bottom, insulating the gas burner from the water above it. The burner then runs longer and hotter, stressing the glass lining until it cracks and the steel beneath starts corroding. On electric units the sediment buries the lower element until it burns out. That popping or rumbling from an older heater is water boiling underneath the sediment layer — it is the sound of the problem in progress.

The Anode Rod Almost Nobody Replaces

Every tank has a sacrificial rod designed to corrode so the steel tank does not. Once consumed, the tank itself becomes the sacrifice — and a leaking tank cannot be repaired. Replacing the rod at the right time is inexpensive and can add years. It is the single most overlooked item in water heater maintenance.

Tankless Descaling

The compact heat exchanger in a tankless unit scales faster than a tank does. Annual descaling restores flow and efficiency and is required by many manufacturers to keep warranty coverage valid.

Treat the Cause

A whole-house water softener addresses the hardness itself, protecting the water heater along with fixtures, appliances, and even your evaporative cooler.

Care Club members get scheduled service. Contact B. Carlson for water heater maintenance in Albuquerque.