A simple and inexpensive maintenance program can prolong the life of your water heater and virtually eliminate the need to replace it.

An insulation blanket will make a water heater more energy-efficient, but won't improve its lasting quality. If the bottom of the water tank is filled with sludge, blanket or no, the heater will not operate at peak performance.

If your water heater has been around for a while, it can be compared to a large thermos bottle filled with coffee that hasn't been emptied or cleaned for a year. The coffee would be undrinkable and the thermos liner would be a stained, sludge-filled mess. Need we say more about the importance of cleaning a water heater? A water heater has three basic parts: 1) the enclosure, 2) the water tank assembly, and 3) the burner and control assembly.

The enclosure holds everything together and protects the tank and other fragile parts from damage. There really isn't much you can do to maintain the enclosure except for regular cleaning to improve its appearance.

Since the tank has no inspection ports it's hard to tell when it's dirty or beginning to rust. Actually, tank rust usually isn't discovered until after a leak occurs and then it's too late.

Most tanks are made of glass-lined steel. If water gets through imperfections in the glass, you can count on a rusty result and, eventually, a leak. A special rod called a cathodic anode (or "sacrificial" anode) is built into the tank assembly to prevent rust. As long as the rod is in good condition deterioration of the tank is drastically slowed.

It works like this: Water in the tank attacks the rod instead of the tank and after a few years the rod rusts away to nothing sacrificing itself for the good of the tank, thus earning its nickname. Once the rod is gone, the water starts working on the tank. To prevent damage to the tank, simply replace the cathodic anode - a $15 item that takes about thirty minutes to install. Cathodic anodes are not readily available in hardware stores. You'll probably have to get one from a plumbing supply company.

The cathodic anode is about five-feet long, three-quarters of an inch in diameter and has a hex bolt welded onto one end. The hex bolt screws into the top of the tank holding the rod in place inside the tank, and, when tightened down, the nut also makes a watertight seal.

CAUTION: Before removing (unscrewing) the rod make sure to turn the cold water inlet valve OFF.

While the water is off and once the rod has been removed, use the open hole to clean and flush the tank. Pour in a citric-acid based cleaner, wait about eight-hours for the acid to dissolve the minerals at the bottom of the tank and flush. You'll be amazed at what comes out.

The burner assembly should be cleaned at least once a year, but more frequent care is better. Simply brush away cobwebs, dust and remove other debris that builds up.

With the tank clean and the burner ports open and clear, even heating will occur, you'll save money, your water will be cleaner and your water heater will last longer.