Friday, 23 August 2013

Repair A Leaking Hot Water Heater

By Brian Winters


Accepting the fact that your water heater cannot last forever is difficult until reality starts to kick in. It might be sitting on borrowed time once it malfunctions and stops producing hot water for your household. Inspect your water heater every six months to avoid inconvenience and recognize early signs of damage. Consider buying a replacement unit if your water heater is operating inefficiently for a long time.

Keep in mind that not all hot water leaks are repairable. Major leaking problems would require a replacement if a tweak or two does not do the trick. Ask help from a specialist to know if your unit needs a repair or a timely replacement. Problems can escalate if you attempt to repair your unit without professional help. This can result to a more costly repair way beyond your budget.

Prior to carrying out repairs, it is important to turn off the heating source of your water heater. Shut down the gas supply valve or the circuit breaker since heaters can be dangerous to deal with if not handled properly. Prevent water from entering the tank by closing the water supply. Wipe pools of water as soon as you see them around the base of the tank to avoid disasters.

Look for any signs of leaks around the pipe fittings and plumbing connections. Using a wrench to tighten the connections can help prevent water from leaking. Other parts of your unit may develop rust stains if you don't tighten the fittings immediately. Replace badly damaged pipes that can no longer be repaired. It helps wrapping a Teflon tape around the threading to prevent water from leaking.

Locate the pressure relief valve around the side of the tank. This relief valve protects your tank from overheating and blowing up as it releases excessive pressure inside. The relief valve should be working at all times to avoid disasters. Have it replaced as soon as it starts to leak.

You can test the T&P valve by lifting its handle while allowing water to flow out. Once you let it snap back on its own, water should have stopped draining. Ask help from a specialist to ensure proper relief valve installation. Do not use your water heater if you think you have a faulty valve. It helps lowering the temperature to prevent the pressure from building up.

Drain and flush your water heater for a thorough inspection. Connect a hose to the sillcock valve near the bottom of the tank. Open the valve and wait until the tank is empty. To remove the hard water minerals inside the tank, flush them out by turning on the cold water supply until the water runs clear.

When the leaks are not coming from these areas, it is safe to arrive at a conclusion that your internal tank has fully corroded. Hence, the water leaks. When this happens, buying a replacement unit is your only way out. Holes may have developed at the bottom of the tank, resulting in serious water leaks. Contact a specialist for professional help while there is time.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment