Saturday 21 September 2013

Step-By-Step Water Heater Maintenance

By Brian Winters


To keep your water heater in good condition, performing regular maintenance is needed. It is definitely worth your time since you won't be dealing with heater issues in the long run. If you are not comfortable in maintaining your unit without professional help, contact a specialist immediately.

Before carrying out repairs, it is important to shut down the heating source of the unit to avoid unfortunate accidents. Keep in mind that water heater can pose serious dangers, especially when not taking safety precautions. Do not forget to wipe water puddles and inform everyone not to use the unit while maintenance is ongoing.

Check your plumbing connections to recognize signs of leaks in the early stage. Tighten the fittings with a wrench and wrap a Teflon tape around the threading to stop water from leaking. If you think the pipes are badly damaged, replace them immediately.

Check your relief valve at all times since it releases excessive pressure inside the tank, protecting it from overheating or blowing up. This is a common problem if your temperature is set too high. Prevent pressure from building up by adjusting the thermostat settings. If you think the relief valve is leaking, have it replaced by a professional.

Drain and flush your tank on a semi-annual basis to prevent the water from rusting and smelling bad. Sediments that are left inside the tank for a long time can eat through the tank lining and components that can lead to poor water quality. To avoid scalding burns, run the other end of the hose to a gutter or floor drain.

If you want to stop the sediments from building up, check the status of your anode rod regularly. This rod should not be taken lightly since it is responsible for protecting the tank from corroding as it attracts all charged water molecules inside. Once you see metal wiring around it, replace it as soon as possible.

If you keep on having cold water running out of your hot water taps, it is safe to assume that your dip tube has completely deteriorated. This tube directs cold water right down to the burner for proper heating. If the dip tube gets rusty, cold water can hit the hot water pipes without being heated. Replacing the dip tube will solve this problem.

Do not hesitate to call a specialist in time of need. Most homeowners assume that performing repair and maintenance on their own can lead to great savings. However, doing this can only cause the problem to escalate, leading to a sting of costly heater repairs.




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