What if you skipped a year of solar water heater upkeep?

Skipped a year once, honestly, and it wasn’t the end of the world.

“Mold remediation costs way more than a quick annual check.”

Yeah, I get what you mean. I’ve skipped a year too and didn’t notice any huge issues - just a bit more scale than usual, nothing wild. I think the “annual or else” warnings are mostly for folks in really tough climates or with older systems. If you’re in a drier spot and keep an eye out for leaks or weird noises, missing a year probably won’t wreck anything. Just don’t make it a habit, right?

I think the “annual or else” warnings are mostly for folks in really tough climates or with older systems.

I get where you’re coming from, but I’d push back a bit on this. Even in milder climates, skipping maintenance can let small issues go unnoticed - like a tiny leak or a pressure valve starting to stick. That stuff can snowball quietly. I’ve seen newer units develop unexpected corrosion just from a missed flush or two. You might not see problems right away, but the risk creeps up, especially if water quality isn’t great. It’s not always about immediate breakdowns - sometimes it’s about shaving years off the system’s lifespan without realizing it.

Yeah, fair point. I’ve seen people get away with skipping a year and nothing blows up right away, but it’s always a gamble. Sometimes you don’t notice the damage until it’s too late. Maintenance just keeps those little surprises in check.

I get what you mean about it being a gamble. I skipped a year once because money was tight and, honestly, nothing seemed off at first. But then the next summer, I noticed the water wasn’t heating up as fast and there was this weird noise in the pipes. Ended up costing more to fix than if I’d just done the regular checkup. Has anyone tried doing some of the maintenance themselves to save a bit? Or is that just asking for trouble?