Your water heater is likely the most significant portion of your homes plumbing method. A properly maintained heater can final from ten to fifteen years or far more. But, a heater not effectively maintained can fail in 4 to six years. The situation of the drinking water in your location and the place of the heater in your residence are out of your control, but correct maintenance of the heater and your plumbing method is important to heater longevity and security.
This report offers you a list of things to verify for both tank kind and tankless water heaters. As you go by means of the measures in checking your heater, if you have the slightest doubt in your capacity, get a experienced, licensed plumber involved! You are dealing with hot water, natural gas, and electricity!
Tank Variety Water Heater Maintenance:
Vent (Gas Water Heaters Only)
The vent must be the exact same diameter as the draft diverter on the heater tank.
The vent should really go commonly “up and out” the ceiling.
Exactly where is passes via the exterior wall, the vent need to be double-walled.
water heater replacement near me must be screwed with each other 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 & Pressure Relief Valve (T&P Valve)The T&P valve is developed to prevent the heater from exploding if the water stress or temperature exceeds safe limits.
Pull up the deal with on the valve and water really should flow out and cease when you let go of the deal with.
The T&P valve has a drain line that should go down to about six” from the floor or be plumbed outside your residence.
Note: Water leaking out of a T&P drain line can signal a poor T&P valve, higher water pressure, or a malfunctioning thermal expansion device.
Water Stress (All Water Heaters)
Water pressure more than 80 pounds per square inch (psi) can harm heaters and your piping. It can also damage plumbing appliances, toilets, and your fixtures.
Note: One 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 manage dial to insure its set at the correct water temperature.
The best water temperature is 120° Fahrenheit.
Note: Something above 120° Fahrenheit drastically increases scalding threat, power use, and sediment develop-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 handle back to the “on position”.
Note: Black soot in the combustion chamber means drafting complications, combustion problems, fume challenges, 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 standard pedestal will hold the bottom of the heater at least 18″ off the floor.
Note: A newer water heater may have a “filtered combustion chamber” that is supposed to resolve the require for a pedestal. Check 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 need to have a drain pan.
The drain pan really should be plumbed to the outside of your home.
Inspect the condition 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 high quality of the air is significant.
Corrosive liquids, ammonia, or acids stored near a heater can lead to corrosive air.
Note: Corrosive air 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 avoid rust. Sacrificial anode rods are installed in the tank to defend the glass lined internal steel tank from rust. Aluminum/Zinc or magnesium anode rods corrode more than time and get utilized up via an electrolytic course of action.
Note: Replacing the anode rod can extend the life of the heater but, should really be performed by a educated, specialist service technician.
Sediment Create-up-Sediment is created when challenging water is heated. The create-up of sediment in the bottom of the tank can bring about the bottom to overheat and melt away the glass lining of the tank. It can drift into recirculating lines, jam open verify valves, and lead to the recirculating pump to stick until it burns out. Sediment develop-up on the bottom of gas water heaters encourages noisy operation. The noise is caused by smaller amounts of water beneath the sediment layer turning into steam bubbles, which then collapse violently.
Note: Sediment construct-up can decrease the power efficiency of the heater and void the warranty on some Residential Water Heaters!
Tankless Water Heater Upkeep:
Flushing-Most tankless water heater suppliers advocate flushing the complete unit every single 6 months to 1 year based upon the water excellent. Reference your manufactures recommendation for flushing. Flushing the unit regularly removes any mineral deposits (commonly calcium or lime) that may well have built up inside the boilers. Suppliers recommend working with a utility pump to circulate three or four gallons of vinegar or another low-grade acid for 45 minutes to clean out any deposits.