Water Heater Maintenance in Chicago

A real maintenance visit is more than running a hose to the drain. We flush the tank to remove sediment and mineral deposits that accumulate at the bottom — the same deposits that force your burner to fire longer and hotter just to push heat through a layer of scale. We inspect and, when needed, replace the anode rod, which is the sacrificial component that prevents the inside of your tank from corroding. Most anode rods need attention every three to five years, and most homeowners have never thought about them. We test the temperature and pressure relief valve — a safety check, not just a maintenance one — and verify your thermostat is calibrated to the recommended 120°F. We inspect all connections and fittings for signs of leaks or corrosion, check venting to confirm exhaust gases are moving safely out of the home, and evaluate gas supply pressure on gas-fired units. For homes built before 1950 — and there are a lot of them across Chicago’s bungalow belt and two-flat corridors — we pay particular attention to older venting systems and galvanized supply lines that can introduce rust sediment directly into the tank. If we spot something that needs more attention, we tell you plainly what it is and what it would take to fix it, before any additional work begins.