Monday, 26 August 2013

Tips For Beginners: Water Heater Maintenance

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.

You should remember to turn off your heating source, whether it is your circuit breaker or your gas supply valve. This will prevent you from encountering accidents during the process. Do not forget to turn off your cold water supply valve prior to maintaining your unit. This will prevent water from entering your tank.

It is important to check your T&P valve from time to time as this valve is responsible for protecting your unit from having too much pressure inside. You can test it by lifting its lever to let the water flow out. Water should stop running as soon as the valve snaps back on its own. It is normal to hear gurgling sounds while checking your T&P valve. If this valve is badly damaged, it is wise to replace it right away.

Flushing and draining your water heater prevents rust and corrosion eating your tank away. Start by attaching a garden hose to the drain valve leading the other end to a secure place like gutter or floor drain. Be careful not to scald yourself during the maintenance process. Avoid this by turning your heater off the night before the scheduled maintenance. Once the water flows out of the storage tank, close your drain valve and remove the garden hose attached to it. Place a bucket below the drain valve and open your cold water supply valve to flush the remaining filth inside. Wait until the water runs clear before refilling.

To avoid water heater leaks, lower your temperature down between 115 to 120 degrees F. It will not only protect your unit from overheating; doing this will help you cut back on your electric costs at the same time. You can easily find the temperature setting dial behind the heater panel if you have an electric water heater. For gas water heaters, turn the knob right on the gas valve.

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.

Remember to read guidelines in your unit's manual before performing water heater maintenance. You can always call a specialist to help you with your unit, ensuring your heating system is in good hands. Performing water heater maintenance can take a lot of time, but worth your money in the end.




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