Water Heater Maintenance: Ensuring Hot Water on the Road
RV Water Heater Repair Seattle | Mobile RV Plumbing Services
Nothing beats a hot shower after a long day of hiking, driving, or exploring.. but only if your RV water heater is up for the task. If your water heater isn’t working like it used to, or you want to make sure it lasts all season, it might be time for a maintenance check.
At Odyssey Mobile RV Repair, we keep the hot water flowing for RVers all over Washington—from Seattle to the Canadian border. Here’s how to maintain your water heater and spot early signs of trouble.
1. Flush the Tank Regularly
Why It Matters: Sediment builds up inside your tank over time, especially with hard water. This reduces efficiency, shortens the life of your anode rod, and causes weird noises.
What to Do: Drain the tank fully, flush with clean water, and consider using a water heater flush wand for better results. We recommend flushing at least once per year—more often if you use your RV frequently.
2. Check and Replace the Anode Rod
Why It Matters: If you have a Suburban-style water heater, the anode rod protects your tank from corrosion. Once it’s used up, the tank starts to rust from the inside out.
What to Do: Inspect the rod at least once a season. If more than 75% of the rod is gone, it’s time to replace it. Keep a spare on hand—it’s a cheap insurance policy. When we winterize your unit, we check these items and flush your water heater at our appointment.
3. Inspect Burner-Ignitor assembly
Why It Matters: For propane water heaters, carbon buildup or rust can block the flame or prevent ignition.
What to Do: Clean the burner tube, inspect the flame (should be blue, not yellow), and verify the ignitor clicks. If you hear clicking with no flame, you may need a new ignitor or circuit board.
4. Test the Electric Element
Why It Matters: Combination water heaters use both propane and electric power. If one works and the other doesn’t, you may have a failed element or a blown fuse. The electric element is not really useful if you are boondocking, so be careful not to confuse the two. Using your water heater on propane is your true ‘water heating’ method when on the road. Electric needs shore power to work and will take a few hours to get warm enough water for a hot shower. If you aren’t sure, give us a call!
What to Do: Use a multimeter to test the element’s resistance. No reading means it’s time to replace. Also, check for tripped breakers and GFCIs.
5. Seal and Protect the Exterior Access Panel
Why It Matters: The water heater’s exterior access panel is exposed to the elements year-round. Water intrusion and bugs can wreak havoc.
What to Do: Reseal the edges if cracked. Check the burner chamber tube for wasps and debris. If your door is loose, it may need to be realigned or replaced.
Stay Warm and Comfortable
Whether your RV water heater runs on propane, electric, or both, keeping it in shape is essential for life on the road. Odyssey Mobile RV Repair offers on-site water heater repair and maintenance from Seattle to Bellingham.