Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Proper Maintenance Of Water Heater

By Brian Winters


You have to face the fact that your water heater is an essential appliance in your household. It never fails to provide enough warm water for your entire family until it breaks down. Having a malfunctioning water heater can be troublesome, especially if it's not producing sufficient hot water for your household. When this happens, it is best to buy a replacement water heater for your convenience. If you want to extend the lifespan of your unit, maintain it regularly at least twice in a year.

To avoid accidents, always keep your heating source turned off during the maintenance period. If you have an electric water heater, shut down your circuit breaker. For gas water heaters, simply turn off the gas supply valve. Do not let water enter your storage tank while maintaining your water heater.

Every water heater has a T&P valve installed inside the tank to protect it from overheating or unexpectedly blowing up. Allowing too much pressure sitting inside your tank can cause this valve to open more often, allowing water to leak easily. You can test it by allowing water to flow by lifting the lever and let it snap back on its own to stop the water flow. You should hear gurgling sounds during the process. If you think your T&P valve is malfunctioning, replace it as soon as possible.

Another tip on how to maintain your water heater is to drain and flush it a few times a year. This is an important step to remove the sediments and the hard water mineral minerals sitting inside your tank for a long time. However, you have to be careful not to scald yourself while draining your tank. You can avoid this incident from happening by switching off your heater the night before you perform a maintenance. Attach a standard hose to the drain valve and open it. Let the water flow to a gutter or drainage until your tank is empty. Use a bucket and put it below the drain valve to start flushing the filth inside your tank. Open your cold water supply valve and observe until the water is clear. You can enjoy clean water coming from your storage tank.

Stop water leaks from occurring by adjusting the temperature of your water heater. It is best to keep it between 115 to 120 degrees. The temperature setting dial can be located easily behind the heating panel. If you have a gas water heater, simply turn the knob on the gas valve. Doing this prevents excessive pressure from building up inside your storage tank.

Keep your anode rod from deteriorating by replacing it once metal wires around it are visible. This sacrificial rod absorbs all the hard water mineral deposits in your tank, protecting your internal components from rusting. If you have highly acidic water, you might have to check your rod frequently. Check your rod as much as possible to avoid further water heater damage.

If you haven't tried insulating your water heater, it is probably a good idea to start late than never. There are a lot of insulation kits and heater blankets with an R-value of 24 or more. Consider buying a new insulation if you have an R-value lower than 24. Doing this helps sustain warm water inside your storage tank.

Do not ignore the instructional manual of your unit, especially if you are a beginner with water heaters. Read the guidelines carefully and take note of some safety precautions before starting. For guaranteed proper water heater maintenance, you can always call a specialist for help. This will ensure your water heater is handled only by the best.




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