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Your water heater is probably the most significant portion of your homes plumbing system. A adequately maintained heater can final from ten to fifteen years or additional. But, a heater not effectively maintained can fail in four to six years. The condition of the drinking water in your location and the location of the heater in your property are out of your handle, but right maintenance of the heater and your plumbing system is essential to heater longevity and security.
This write-up gives you a list of products to verify for each tank kind and tankless water heaters. As you go through the steps in checking your heater, if you have the slightest doubt in your ability, get a skilled, licensed plumber involved! You are dealing with hot water, natural gas, and electrical energy!
Tank Variety Water Heater Maintenance:
Vent (Gas Water Heaters Only)
The vent really should be the exact same diameter as the draft diverter on the heater tank.
The vent must go usually “up and out” the ceiling.
Where is passes by way of the exterior wall, the vent ought to be double-walled.
Vent sections really should be screwed together with a minimum three screws per section.
Note: Poor vent pipe connections can fall apart and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, the silent and deadly gas!
Temperature & Stress Relief Valve (T&P Valve)The T&P valve is designed to prevent the heater from exploding if the water pressure or temperature exceeds safe limits.
Pull up the deal with on the valve and water ought to flow out and quit when you let go of the handle.
The T&P valve has a drain line that really should go down to about six” from the floor or be plumbed outside your home.
Note: Water leaking out of a T&P drain line can signal a poor T&P valve, high water stress, or a malfunctioning thermal expansion device.
Water Pressure (All Water Heaters)
Water stress more than 80 pounds per square inch (psi) can harm heaters and your piping. It can also harm plumbing appliances, toilets, and your fixtures.
Note: 1 giveaway that your have higher water pressure is when the T&P Valve on the heater starts opening and closing.
Outer Water Heater Metal Shell & Plumbing Fittings
Inspect the heater outer sheet metal shell for leaks or rusting.
Inspect the plumbing fittings on the heater for corrosion, rust, or water spotting.
Note: Rusty fittings or discolored shell is a telltale sign that a leak is present!
Temperature Manage
Inspect the heater temperature control dial to insure its set at the right water temperature.
The ideal water temperature is 120° Fahrenheit.
Note: Anything above 120° Fahrenheit drastically increases scalding danger, energy use, and sediment make-up in the bottom of the heater!
Combustion Chamber (Gas Water Heaters)
Turn the gas valve manage to “pilot position”.
Eliminate the outer access hatch or cover on the side of the heater.
Inspect the roof of the chamber for heavy rusting, water marking, or pitting.
Return the gas valve control back to the “on position”.
Note: Black soot in the combustion chamber signifies drafting issues, combustion complications, fume difficulties, and a fire hazard!
Pedestal Base (Gas Water Heaters)
Make positive the pedestal base the heater rests on is stable and supports the unit.
The typical pedestal will keep the bottom of the heater at least 18″ off the floor.
Note: A newer water heater may well have a “filtered combustion chamber” that is supposed to resolve the need to have for a pedestal. Verify the owner’s manual for your heater.
Drain Valve
Open the drain valve to insure that mineral sediment, anode sludge, or rust has not clogged your heaters drain.
Drain Overflow Pan
If your heater is on the 2nd floor above living space it should have a drain pan.
The drain pan must be plumbed to the outside of your property.
Inspect the situation of the drain pan, fittings, and piping to the outdoors.
Corrosive Fumes (Gas Water Heaters & Tankless Water Heaters)
Water heaters draw air in for combustion and the top quality of the air is essential.
Corrosive liquids, ammonia, or acids stored near a heater can lead to corrosive air.
Note: water heater replacement Fullerton drawn into the burner can prematurely corrode the heater.
Internal Tank Corrosion and Rust-The internal tank of your heater is constructed of steel and glass lined to prevent rust. Sacrificial anode rods are installed in the tank to protect the glass lined internal steel tank from rust. Aluminum/Zinc or magnesium anode rods corrode over time and get applied up by means of an electrolytic approach.
Note: Replacing the anode rod can extend the life of the heater but, ought to be completed by a educated, professional service technician.
Sediment Construct-up-Sediment is made when hard water is heated. The construct-up of sediment in the bottom of the tank can lead to the bottom to overheat and melt away the glass lining of the tank. It can drift into recirculating lines, jam open check valves, and lead to the recirculating pump to stick till it burns out. Sediment develop-up on the bottom of gas water heaters encourages noisy operation. The noise is caused by tiny amounts of water beneath the sediment layer turning into steam bubbles, which then collapse violently.
Note: Sediment construct-up can minimize the energy efficiency of the heater and void the warranty on some Residential Water Heaters!
Tankless Water Heater Upkeep:
Flushing-Most tankless water heater makers advocate flushing the entire unit each 6 months to 1 year depending upon the water high quality. Reference your manufactures recommendation for flushing. Flushing the unit routinely removes any mineral deposits (normally calcium or lime) that may have built up inside the boilers. Makers propose using a utility pump to circulate 3 or 4 gallons of vinegar or an additional low-grade acid for 45 minutes to clean out any deposits.
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