Water Heater Leak Repair Team
National maintenance guides were written for average air and average water. This checklist is tuned for Goose Creek: humid garages, mineral-bearing water, and corrosion that never takes a season off. Run through it annually — or hand it to us and we will run it for you in about an hour.
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1. Flush sediment from the tank
Drain several gallons (or a full flush) through the drain valve until water runs clear. In our water, annual flushing prevents the sediment blanket that kills lower elements and overheats tank bottoms. If the drain valve clogs or weeps, replace it with brass — see our drain valve service.
2. Inspect and test the T&P valve
Lift the test lever, verify flow and clean shutoff, and check the discharge pipe termination. Replace valves that weep afterward — in Lowcountry water, plan on replacement every 3–5 years, not 'when it fails.'
3. Check the anode rod
Break the hex head and inspect. If it is down to the core wire or coated in calcium, replace it — in Goose Creek, expect 3–5 year anode life. This single check prevents more tank failures than everything else on this list combined.
4. Survey for exterior corrosion
With our humidity, inspect every fitting, nipple, and the tank's lower shell for rust, green copper corrosion, or white mineral crust. Catch fitting corrosion at the 'surface' stage and it is a fitting; catch it late and it is a tank.
5. Verify the drain pan and alarm
Confirm the pan is intact, the drain line flows (pour a cup of water in), and any water alarm still has battery and signal. No pan? This is the year to add one.
6. Check temperature and pressure
Verify 120°F at a tap and test static water pressure. Pressure creeping above 80 psi or big thermal-expansion swings point to PRV or expansion-tank issues that will find your T&P valve next.
7. Inspect gas venting (gas units)
Look for rust, separation, or back-pitch on the flue — humid air corrodes vents from the outside while flue gases attack from inside. Any doubt here is a professional call, not a DIY judgment.
8. Insulate exposed piping
Foam sleeves on the cold inlet (and hot outlet) cut condensation dripping, reduce standby loss, and slow exterior corrosion at the tank's top fittings — a $15 fix with outsized Lowcountry payoff.
9. Document and schedule
Note the date, anode condition, and anything marginal. Set next year's reminder. Or skip the remembering: our maintenance plan tracks it for you — (833) 713-2101.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I do this maintenance myself?
Much of it, yes — flushing, T&P testing, visual corrosion checks, and insulation are homeowner-friendly. Anode extraction on older tanks often needs professional leverage; seized anodes snap off and create bigger problems.
How long does professional maintenance take?
About an hour for a standard tank, including flush and full inspection. Tankless descaling adds time — ask when you schedule.
Is annual maintenance really necessary here?
More necessary than in drier climates. Our humidity and water chemistry compress every service interval — annual is the schedule that keeps Goose Creek heaters out of the 8-year replacement bracket.