Your water heater is likely the most crucial part of your residences plumbing system. A appropriately maintained heater can final from ten to fifteen years or additional. But, a heater not appropriately maintained can fail in four to six years. The situation of the drinking water in your area and the location of the heater in your property are out of your handle, but proper upkeep of the heater and your plumbing method is essential to heater longevity and security.
This write-up gives you a list of items to check for both tank kind and tankless water heaters. As you go by way of the steps in checking your heater, if you have the slightest doubt in your potential, get a specialist, licensed plumber involved! You are dealing with hot water, organic gas, and electricity!
Tank Type 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 generally “up and out” the ceiling.
Exactly where is passes by means of the exterior wall, the vent should be double-walled.
Vent sections must be screwed with each other with a minimum 3 screws per section.
Note: Negative 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 developed to avoid the heater from exploding if the water stress or temperature exceeds protected limits.
Pull up the manage on the valve and water ought to flow out and cease when you let go of the manage.
The T&P valve has a drain line that really should go down to about six” from the floor or be plumbed outside your property.
Note: Water leaking out of a T&P drain line can signal a negative T&P valve, higher water pressure, or a malfunctioning thermal expansion device.
Water Pressure (All Water Heaters)
Water pressure over 80 pounds per square inch (psi) can damage heaters and your piping. It can also damage plumbing appliances, toilets, and your fixtures.
Note: One particular giveaway that your have higher water stress is when the T&P Valve on the heater begins 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 Handle
Inspect the heater temperature control dial to insure its set at the correct water temperature.
The best water temperature is 120° Fahrenheit.
Note: Something above 120° Fahrenheit tremendously increases scalding danger, 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 manage back to the “on position”.
Note: Black soot in the combustion chamber means 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 steady and supports the unit.
The common pedestal will hold the bottom of the heater at least 18″ off the floor.
Note: A newer water heater could have a “filtered combustion chamber” that is supposed to resolve the have 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 must have a drain pan.
The drain pan need to be plumbed to the outside of your dwelling.
water heater replacement Orange County of the drain pan, fittings, and piping to the outside.
Corrosive Fumes (Gas Water Heaters & Tankless Water Heaters)
Water heaters draw air in for combustion and the excellent of the air is essential.
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 prevent rust. Sacrificial anode rods are installed in the tank to safeguard the glass lined internal steel tank from rust. Aluminum/Zinc or magnesium anode rods corrode over time and get made use of up via an electrolytic course of action.
Note: Replacing the anode rod can extend the life of the heater but, need to be completed by a trained, specialist service technician.
Sediment Develop-up-Sediment is designed when difficult water is heated. The develop-up of sediment in the bottom of the tank can result in 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 until it burns out. Sediment construct-up on the bottom of gas water heaters encourages noisy operation. The noise is brought on by modest amounts of water beneath the sediment layer turning into steam bubbles, which then collapse violently.
Note: Sediment create-up can reduce the power efficiency of the heater and void the warranty on some Residential Water Heaters!
Tankless Water Heater Upkeep:
Flushing-Most tankless water heater makers propose flushing the entire unit every six months to 1 year based upon the water high-quality. Reference your manufactures recommendation for flushing. Flushing the unit often removes any mineral deposits (typically calcium or lime) that may perhaps have constructed up inside the boilers. Producers advise applying a utility pump to circulate 3 or four gallons of vinegar or one more low-grade acid for 45 minutes to clean out any deposits.