Water heater checklist: how to maintain a tank, tankless or heat pump water heater
A water heater works every day and rarely gets noticed until it leaks. A quick monthly look and a yearly service help it last.
Updated October 2026 by the Green Core Heating & Air teamLook at your water heater once a month for leaks, rust or moisture. Once a year, have it serviced: a tank needs a sediment flush, a relief valve test and an anode rod check, a tankless unit needs a descale flush, and a heat pump model needs its air filter cleaned and drain checked. In California, every residential water heater must also be strapped for earthquakes.
Simple steps that help your water heater last
No tools needed. A quick look now and then catches most problems before they become leaks.
Every month, any type
2 minutes- Look for water or moistureCheck the floor, the fittings on top and the drain valve. Small drips caught early are often an easy fix.
- Look for rustRust on the tank, fittings or around the base can be an early sign the tank is wearing out.
- Listen for popping or rumblingIn a tank, that's usually sediment building up on the bottom.
- Keep the area clearNo boxes, paint or cleaning supplies against the heater, and nothing blocking a gas heater's air supply or vent.
Every year
About 15 minutes- Check the earthquake strapsCalifornia law requires every residential water heater to be braced, anchored or strapped. Straps should be tight against the tank.
- Clean the heat pump air filterHeat pump water heaters have an air filter. Clean it as your manual says, often more than once a year.
- Check the heat pump condensate drainThe drain line should be clear and not leaking onto the floor.
- Note any tankless error codesWrite down codes from the display so we can review them at your service visit.
What a yearly water heater service covers
These are the jobs we do at a water heater tune-up. Old drain valves and relief valves can stick or leak once they're opened, so they're best done by a pro.
- Tank: flush sediment from the bottom
- Tank: inspect the anode rod
- Tank: test the temperature and pressure relief valve
- Gas tank: check venting and the burner
- Electric tank: test elements and thermostats
- Tankless: descale and flush the heat exchanger
- Tankless: clean the inlet screen and check venting
- Heat pump: clean the air filter and check the drain
Call us if you notice
- Water leaking from the tank itselfA leaking tank can't be repaired. Call us before it floods.
- Rusty or brown hot waterThe tank may be rusting from the inside.
- No hot water, or it runs out fastCould be sediment, a failed element or a burner issue.
- Relief valve drippingIt's a safety device. Don't cap it. Call us.
- Error codes on a tankless unitOften scale buildup. A descale usually fixes it.
- Popping or bangingHeavy sediment makes the heater work harder.
Safety first: If you smell gas near a gas water heater, leave the house and call PG&E or 911 from outside.
Let us handle the yearly service
Tankless water heaters have their own maintenance plan. For tank and heat pump water heaters, book a yearly water heater tune-up.
Tankless Care
For gas or electric tankless water heaters.
- Full descale and flush of the heat exchanger
- Inlet water screen and air intake filter cleaned
- Venting, gas or electrical connections and relief valve checked
- Error code history reviewed with you, and hot water temperature tested
- No diagnostic fee, a repair discount and a 72-hour scheduling guarantee on work days
Have a standard tank? We offer same-day tank replacement when our schedule allows, and our standard gas or electric tank replacement starts at $2,850 installed.
Quick answers
How often should I flush my tank water heater?
Once a year is a good habit, especially with hard water. If a tank has gone many years without a flush, have a pro do it, since old drain valves can stick or leak.
Does a tankless water heater need maintenance?
Yes. Mineral scale builds up inside, so most need a yearly descale and flush. Our Tankless Care plan covers it.
Do water heaters need earthquake straps in California?
Yes. California Health and Safety Code 19211 requires all new, replacement and existing residential water heaters to be braced, anchored or strapped.
How long do water heaters last?
About 10 to 15 years for tank and heat pump models and about 20 for tankless, according to the Department of Energy.
Book your water heater service
We'll flush or descale it, check the safety parts and let you know how much life it has left.
(707) 988-5858Book a tune-up