Yeah, skipping a year isn’t always catastrophic, but it’s definitely rolling the dice. I’ve seen folks get away with it for a while, then suddenly there’s a pinhole leak or the T&P valve won’t budge. That sticky valve thing is real—sometimes you don’t notice until you actually need it to work, and by then it’s seized up tight.
About vinegar, totally agree—works wonders on scale, but if you’re not careful, those rubber bits will swell or even start to crack over time. I’ve had to replace more than one gasket because someone got a little too enthusiastic with the cleaning.
One thing I’d add: if you do end up skipping a year, at least check for corrosion around the connections and mounting brackets. Sometimes that sneaks up faster than you’d expect, especially if there’s been any moisture getting in. And yeah, always cut the power first... learned that lesson the hard way once when I got a surprise zap off a supposedly “dead” circuit.
Had a tenant skip a year on one of my units—figured it’d be fine since it was “just one year.” Ended up with a slow leak at the cold inlet fitting, which turned into a mess under the tank before anyone noticed. Corrosion had eaten through faster than I expected. That’s the thing—sometimes you don’t see the damage until it’s already costing you.
“That sticky valve thing is real—sometimes you don’t notice until you actually need it to work, and by then it’s seized up tight.”
Can confirm. Had to replace a T&P valve that wouldn’t budge, and it took way longer than it should’ve. Not fun when you’re on a tight schedule.
I hear you on vinegar too. It’s great for scale, but I’ve seen seals go soft or crack after someone got carried away with it. I’d rather deal with a little scale than a blown gasket.
Honestly, skipping a year might seem harmless, but it’s usually not worth the risk. The small stuff adds up fast, especially if you’ve got multiple properties to keep track of.
Missing a year can sneak up on you, for sure. I’ve seen anode rods turn into nothing but a rusty wire in less time than you’d think. Those little leaks always seem to find the worst spot, too. I’m with you—better to deal with a bit of scale than a failed seal. Vinegar’s good, but too much and you’re just asking for trouble with the rubber parts. Regular checks just save headaches down the line.
Title: What if you skipped a year of solar water heater upkeep?
I’ll never forget the time I got called out to a place where the owner “just missed one year” of maintenance. You’d think it was a decade, the way that tank looked inside. The anode rod was basically a memory—just a sad, rusty noodle hanging on for dear life. And the scale buildup? Looked like someone tried to grow a coral reef in there.
Funny thing is, most folks don’t realize how fast those little leaks can turn into big headaches. Had a guy once who thought a drip was “no big deal.” Six months later, he’s got water stains on the ceiling below and a bill that made him wish he’d just bought a new heater.
I hear you on the vinegar, too. People love to go wild with it, but I’ve seen more than a few rubber gaskets turn to mush after a good soak. There’s a fine line between cleaning and dissolving your own plumbing, right?
Curious—has anyone actually had luck with those “no-maintenance” anode rods they’re selling now? I’m a bit skeptical, but maybe I’m just old school.
You nailed it with the “coral reef” description—seen that more times than I care to count. People think a year’s nothing, but in the world of hot water, it’s a lifetime. I’ve cracked open tanks after just 12 months with no attention and found enough scale to fill a coffee mug. It’s wild how fast things go south once you skip even one checkup.
Leaks are another one. Folks ignore a little drip, figure it’ll sort itself out. Next thing you know, you’re tracing water damage through drywall and trying to explain why their “simple fix” is now a full-blown replacement job. Not fun for anybody.
About those “no-maintenance” anode rods—honestly, I’m not convinced. Magnesium and aluminum rods have been around forever for a reason. The new ones, especially the powered or “permanent” types, sound good on paper, but I’ve seen mixed results. Maybe they slow corrosion, but nothing’s truly maintenance-free. There’s always something that needs looking at, whether it’s sediment, valves, or just making sure the electronics haven’t failed. I’ve even seen a couple of those fancy rods corrode right at the connections, which kind of defeats the point.
And yeah, vinegar... People love a shortcut, but I’ve replaced too many mushy seals and warped gaskets from overzealous cleaning. A little goes a long way, and sometimes old-fashioned elbow grease is safer than dumping half a jug of acid in your system.
Bottom line: skipping upkeep is like playing roulette with your wallet. Maybe you get lucky, but more often you’re just setting yourself up for a nasty surprise down the line.
