Water heaters are usually ignored up until they fail to provide enough hot water. To prevent the problem from escalating, let a specialist inspect your tank and look for early signs of damage. Avoid spending too much on repairs by maintain your water heater regularly. Doing this also helps prolong the lifespan of the heating system. It is wise to hire a specialist if you find it difficult to work with your unit on your own.
Take safety measures before you start checking the water heater. Shut down the heating source to avoid electrocuting yourself accidentally. Electrical conduits can be dangerous once splashed with water. That is why you have to remove water puddles as soon as possible to avoid fatal accidents. Turn off the water-supply valve to stop your pipes from leaking temporarily. Water heaters can pose serious dangers if not maintained regularly. Take immediate action right before your water heater stops working.
Glass-lined water heaters are designed to fight against rust and corrosion. However, neglecting maintenance can cause holes to appear due to varying temperatures inside the tank. When this happens, water can easily seep into the lining, leading the tank to expand and crack in the long run. If you have highly corrosive water, the internal components of your tank can deteriorate over time. Calcium carbonate buildup can cause your water heater to run inefficiently. Your heating element may malfunction if you let the sediments sit inside your tank for a long time. Solve this problem by flushing and draining your tank twice a year.
You can start by draining and flushing your tank to get rid of the sediments. Experts recommend repeating this step every six months to prevent rust and corrosion from developing. To drain, attach a standard hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Shut off the cold water valve and release pressure by opening the T&P valve. Open the drain valve until the tank is empty. Flush the remaining sediments by removing the hose and placing a bucket under the drain valve. Open the cold water valve and wait until the water runs clear. Make sure to open a hot water tap inside your house prior to refilling the tank. Do not turn on the heating source until the tank is full.
To avoid rust and corrosion development, check your anode rod annually. This sacrificial rod is responsible for absorbing all the charged water molecules that can cause your tank to corrode and deteriorate. Without regular maintenance, an anode rod can last as long as 5 to 10 years. Inspecting the state of your rod will tell you how much it has deteriorated over time. Once you see metal wires around it, consider buying a replacement immediately. Do not forget to shut down the cold water-supply valve before replacing the rod. Remove the nut that suspends it and install a new one inside the water heater tank. Do not over tighten the screws as this can damage your tank further. Refill your tank with water after replacing the anode rod.
Check the heating element once your water heater starts to operate inefficiently. These elements are usually screwed into the side of the water tank. The lower heating element is much prone to develop calcium carbonate coating if not maintained from time to time. You may need to open the T&P valve before draining. Open the covering of the heating element located at the bottom of the tank. Do not forget to disconnect all the electrical and ground wires before unscrewing the heating element. Replace the heating element and follow the steps in reverse. Wait until the tank is filled with water before switching the power on.
Check your water heater temperature of you keep on getting cold or lukewarm water instead of a hot one. It is best to set the temperature around 120F to save energy and prevent your unit from overheating. Changing the settings from time to time is not necessary once you have a stable temperature. Protect your family from scalding accidents by not setting the temperature too high. Skin can burn as fast as 5 seconds if the temperature reaches 135F. Ask help from a specialist if the problem continues.
Maintaining a water heater shouldn't be easy if you follow the steps listed above. Encountering difficulties along the way is normal, and it is best to hire a specialist to solve your water heater issues immediately. Do not wait until the problem escalates-start maintaining your water heater as soon as possible.
Take safety measures before you start checking the water heater. Shut down the heating source to avoid electrocuting yourself accidentally. Electrical conduits can be dangerous once splashed with water. That is why you have to remove water puddles as soon as possible to avoid fatal accidents. Turn off the water-supply valve to stop your pipes from leaking temporarily. Water heaters can pose serious dangers if not maintained regularly. Take immediate action right before your water heater stops working.
Glass-lined water heaters are designed to fight against rust and corrosion. However, neglecting maintenance can cause holes to appear due to varying temperatures inside the tank. When this happens, water can easily seep into the lining, leading the tank to expand and crack in the long run. If you have highly corrosive water, the internal components of your tank can deteriorate over time. Calcium carbonate buildup can cause your water heater to run inefficiently. Your heating element may malfunction if you let the sediments sit inside your tank for a long time. Solve this problem by flushing and draining your tank twice a year.
You can start by draining and flushing your tank to get rid of the sediments. Experts recommend repeating this step every six months to prevent rust and corrosion from developing. To drain, attach a standard hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. Shut off the cold water valve and release pressure by opening the T&P valve. Open the drain valve until the tank is empty. Flush the remaining sediments by removing the hose and placing a bucket under the drain valve. Open the cold water valve and wait until the water runs clear. Make sure to open a hot water tap inside your house prior to refilling the tank. Do not turn on the heating source until the tank is full.
To avoid rust and corrosion development, check your anode rod annually. This sacrificial rod is responsible for absorbing all the charged water molecules that can cause your tank to corrode and deteriorate. Without regular maintenance, an anode rod can last as long as 5 to 10 years. Inspecting the state of your rod will tell you how much it has deteriorated over time. Once you see metal wires around it, consider buying a replacement immediately. Do not forget to shut down the cold water-supply valve before replacing the rod. Remove the nut that suspends it and install a new one inside the water heater tank. Do not over tighten the screws as this can damage your tank further. Refill your tank with water after replacing the anode rod.
Check the heating element once your water heater starts to operate inefficiently. These elements are usually screwed into the side of the water tank. The lower heating element is much prone to develop calcium carbonate coating if not maintained from time to time. You may need to open the T&P valve before draining. Open the covering of the heating element located at the bottom of the tank. Do not forget to disconnect all the electrical and ground wires before unscrewing the heating element. Replace the heating element and follow the steps in reverse. Wait until the tank is filled with water before switching the power on.
Check your water heater temperature of you keep on getting cold or lukewarm water instead of a hot one. It is best to set the temperature around 120F to save energy and prevent your unit from overheating. Changing the settings from time to time is not necessary once you have a stable temperature. Protect your family from scalding accidents by not setting the temperature too high. Skin can burn as fast as 5 seconds if the temperature reaches 135F. Ask help from a specialist if the problem continues.
Maintaining a water heater shouldn't be easy if you follow the steps listed above. Encountering difficulties along the way is normal, and it is best to hire a specialist to solve your water heater issues immediately. Do not wait until the problem escalates-start maintaining your water heater as soon as possible.
About the Author:
Learn more about water heater repair tips . Stop by Brian Winters's site where you can find out all about water heater maintenance and how it can benefit you.
No comments:
Post a Comment