Annual Water Heater Maintenance Checklist for Los Angeles Homeowners

Do these once a year:

• ☐ Flush the tank — connect a hose to the drain valve and flush until the water runs clear. Removes sediment that causes noise and reduces efficiency.
• ☐ Test the T&P valve — lift the lever briefly to confirm water flows freely and the valve reseats properly. Replace if it drips after testing.
• ☐ Inspect the anode rod — the sacrificial anode rod protects the tank from corrosion. In LA hard water, inspect every year and replace when less than 1/2 inch of core wire is visible.
• ☐ Check all connections for drips — inspect the cold inlet, hot outlet, and T&P valve discharge pipe for any moisture or mineral deposits indicating a slow leak.
• ☐ Verify the temperature setting — the EPA recommends 120°F. Check that the thermostat dial matches actual output temperature.
• ☐ Inspect the flue/vent (gas units) — check for rust, gaps, or blockage in the flue pipe. Carbon monoxide risks come from improper venting.

Do these once a year (every 6 months in very hard water areas):

• ☐ Descale the heat exchanger — the most important maintenance task for tankless units in LA. Circulate descaling solution through the heat exchanger to dissolve mineral deposits.
• ☐ Clean the inlet filter screen — the small mesh filter on the cold water inlet can clog with sediment. Remove and rinse clean.
• ☐ Check vent termination for blockage — inspect the exterior vent cap for bird nests, debris, or spider webs. This is the most common cause of Navien code 10 and similar errors in LA.
• ☐ Test the flow rate — run hot water and verify the unit fires consistently and reaches the set temperature.
• ☐ Check for error code history — most tankless units store recent error codes. A technician can review these to catch developing issues early.
• ☐ Verify gas pressure — especially important if you've had any gas line work done in the past year. Low gas pressure causes incomplete combustion and error codes.

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