An indirect water heater has no burner of its own, but it still needs periodic anode rod checks, tank inspection, and boiler-side maintenance to run reliably for years.
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Quick answer
Indirect water heater maintenance centers on checking the sacrificial anode rod for corrosion, inspecting the tank for sediment or signs of internal wear, and making sure the boiler that heats it is itself running well, since the indirect tank's performance is entirely dependent on the boiler. Most manufacturers recommend an anode check every one to three years, more often in areas with harder water. Because the tank has no burner, flue, or combustion parts, maintenance is simpler than a standalone gas water heater, but it should not be skipped entirely. A licensed technician can fold indirect tank checks into the same annual visit as the boiler's own service.
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An indirect water heater has no burner, no flue, and no combustion components of its own, since it is simply a storage tank with a heat exchanger coil that the boiler's hot water flows through. That eliminates several maintenance items that a standalone gas water heater needs, such as combustion checks and vent inspection on the tank itself. What remains is largely about protecting the tank from internal corrosion and confirming the heat exchanger coil is transferring heat effectively, plus making sure the boiler side of the system, which does the actual work of heating the water, is itself in good condition.
Like most storage-type water heaters, an indirect tank includes a sacrificial anode rod designed to corrode in place of the tank's steel lining. Metro Vancouver's comparatively soft municipal water is generally gentler on anodes than harder water elsewhere, which can extend anode life, but it does not eliminate the need to check it. Once an anode is significantly consumed, the tank itself becomes more vulnerable to corrosion, which shortens the tank's usable life. A technician typically checks the anode during a scheduled visit and replaces it if it shows heavy wear, well before it is fully gone.
| Task | Typical interval | Who does it |
|---|---|---|
| Anode rod inspection | Every 1-3 years, more often on harder water | Licensed technician |
| Tank sediment check and flush if needed | Annually or every other year | Licensed technician |
| Heat exchanger coil performance check | Annually, alongside boiler service | Licensed technician |
| Boiler combustion and safety check | Annually | Licensed technician |
| Visible leak or corrosion check around tank base | Ongoing, homeowner observation | Homeowner |
None of these observations require opening the tank or handling any components; they are simply things worth mentioning to a technician at the next service visit or sooner if something changes suddenly.
Because the indirect tank depends entirely on the boiler, the most efficient way to maintain it is during the same annual visit as the boiler's own combustion and safety check. A technician can inspect the anode, check the coil, and flush sediment from the tank in the same appointment as the boiler service, which keeps the whole system, not just one part of it, running reliably through the wet Metro Vancouver winter when both heating and hot water demand peak together.
Safety note
If you ever smell gas near a boiler, water heater, or vent, do not investigate further: leave the home first, then call FortisBC at 1-800-663-9911. Combustion appliances should only be serviced by a Technical Safety BC licensed gas fitter.
It needs less maintenance since it has no burner or flue, but periodic anode checks, sediment flushing, and boiler-side service are still important.
A technician checks this during a scheduled inspection; there is no reliable way for a homeowner to assess anode condition without removing it, which is not a do-it-yourself task.
Once the anode is significantly consumed, the tank's steel lining becomes more exposed to corrosion, which can shorten the tank's usable life.
Yes, sediment can still accumulate in the stored domestic water side of an indirect tank and benefits from periodic flushing.
It is usually more efficient to have both checked in the same annual visit, since the tank's performance depends entirely on the boiler.
It can extend anode life and reduce scale compared to harder water regions, but it does not eliminate the need for periodic checks.
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