Precautionary Maintenance Can Lengthen Your Water Heater's Useful Life... Check Yours Today!

· 3 min read
Precautionary Maintenance Can Lengthen Your Water Heater's Useful Life... Check Yours Today!

Your water heater is probably the most important part of your homes plumbing system.  water heater repair service in Westminster CO  maintained heater can last by ten to 15 years or more. However a water heater not properly managed can fail in 4 to 6 years. The condition of the drinking water within your area plus the location of the heater in your house are away of your control, but proper upkeep of the water heater and your water lines system is vital to heater durability and safety.

This kind of article gives you a directory of items in order to check for the two tank type and tankless water heating units. To get better results as you go through the steps in checking your heater, if you have the slightest doubt within your ability, get a professional, licensed plumbing engineer involved! You happen to be dealing with warm water, natural gas, plus electricity!

Tank Kind Water Heater Maintenance:

Vent out (Gas Water Emitters Only)

The in-take should be typically the same diameter because the draft diverter on the water heater tank.
The vent out should go usually "up and out" the ceiling.
Exactly where is passes through the exterior wall structure, the vent ought to be double-walled.
Port sections should get screwed together using a minimum a few screws per segment.
Note: Bad vent pipe connections can fall apart in addition to cause carbon monoxide poisoning, the quiet and deadly fuel!

Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve (T&P Valve)The T&P control device is designed in order to prevent the heater from exploding if typically the water pressure or even temperature exceeds safe limits.

Chin up the particular handle on the valve and water ought to flow out and even stop when an individual let go of the deal with.
The T&P valve provides a drain series which will go lower to about 6" from the ground or be plumbed outside your home.
Note: Water leaking out of the T&P drain collection can signal a negative T&P valve, large water pressure, or even a malfunctioning thermal enlargement device.

Water Strain (All Water Heaters)

Water pressure more than 80 pounds per square inch (psi) can damage heating units and your piping. It can also damage plumbing appliances, toilets, and your fittings.
Note: One free item that your particular have large water pressure is when the T&P Valve for the heater starts off opening and closing.

Outer Normal water Heater Metal Cover & Plumbing Fittings

Inspect the heaters outer sheet material shell for leaks or rusting.
Examine the plumbing fixtures on the water heater for corrosion, corrosion, or water how to spot.
Note: Rusty fixtures or discolored cover is a telltale sign that a new leak is present!

Temperatures Control

Inspect the heater temperature handle dial to ensure its set from the correct temperature of the water.
The ideal normal water temperature is 120� Fahrenheit.
Note: Something above 120� Fahrenheit greatly increases scalding risk, energy work with, and sediment build-up in the bottom part of the heating unit!

Combustion Chamber (Gas Water Heaters)

Convert the gas regulators control to "pilot position".
Remove typically the outer access emerge or cover about the side involving the heater.
Examine the roof in the chamber for large rusting, water noticing, or pitting.
Return the gas device control back to be able to the "on position".
Note: Black soot in the combustion slot provided means drafting issues, combustion problems, fume problems, and a fire hazard!

Base Base (Gas Drinking water Heaters)

Make sure the grada base the heating unit rests on is usually stable and supports the unit.
The particular typical pedestal is going to keep the bottom part of the heater in least 18" away the floor.
Notice: A more recent water heaters may have some sort of "filtered combustion chamber" that is intended to resolve the particular need for a new pedestal. Check the particular owner's manual with regard to your heater.

Strain Valve

Open typically the drain valve in order to insure that vitamin sediment, anode sludge, or rust has not clogged your heating elements drain.
Drain Flood Pan

If your own heater is in the 2nd floor above living space it should have the drain pan.
Typically the drain pan need to be plumbed in order to the outside associated with your house.
Inspect typically the condition of typically the drain pan, fittings, and piping for the outside.
Corrosive Gases (Gas Water Heating elements & Tankless Water Heaters)

Water heating units draw air in for combustion and the quality of the particular air is crucial.
Corrosive liquids, hydrogen, or acids saved near a water heater can lead to corrosive air.
Notice: Corrosive air driven in the burner can easily prematurely corrode the heater.