Your water heater is likely the most crucial portion of your homes plumbing program. A adequately maintained heater can last from ten to fifteen years or far more. But, a heater not properly 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 control, but right upkeep of the heater and your plumbing program is crucial to heater longevity and security.
This short article offers you a list of products to check for both tank type and tankless water heaters. As you go by means of the methods in checking your heater, if you have the slightest doubt in your capability, get a experienced, licensed plumber involved! You are dealing with hot water, natural gas, and electricity!
Tank Form Water Heater Maintenance:
Vent (Gas Water Heaters Only)
The vent need to be the identical diameter as the draft diverter on the heater tank.
The vent should go usually “up and out” the ceiling.
Exactly where is passes by way of the exterior wall, the vent really should be double-walled.
Vent sections must be screwed collectively with a minimum 3 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 developed to stop the heater from exploding if the water pressure or temperature exceeds protected limits.
Pull up the handle on the valve and water ought to flow out and stop when you let go of the manage.
The T&P valve has a drain line that ought to go down to about six” from the floor or be plumbed outdoors your house.
Note: Water leaking out of a T&P drain line can signal a bad T&P valve, high water pressure, 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: One giveaway that your have higher water pressure 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 Control
Inspect the heater temperature handle dial to insure its set at the correct water temperature.
The excellent water temperature is 120° Fahrenheit.
Note: Anything above 120° Fahrenheit greatly increases scalding risk, energy use, and sediment create-up in the bottom of the heater!
Combustion Chamber (Gas Water Heaters)
Turn the gas valve handle to “pilot position”.
Remove 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 suggests drafting complications, combustion problems, fume problems, and a fire hazard!
Pedestal Base (Gas Water Heaters)
Make confident the pedestal base the heater rests on is stable and supports the unit.
The standard pedestal will keep 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 will need 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 ought to have a drain pan.
The drain pan should be plumbed to the outside of your home.
Inspect the condition 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 high quality of the air is vital.
Corrosive liquids, ammonia, or acids stored close to a heater can lead to corrosive air.
Note: Corrosive air drawn into the burner can prematurely corrode the heater.
best plumber in Fullerton CA and Rust-The internal tank of your heater is constructed of steel and glass lined to avert 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 by way of an electrolytic process.
Note: Replacing the anode rod can extend the life of the heater but, really should be carried out by a educated, qualified service technician.
Sediment Develop-up-Sediment is created when hard water is heated. The make-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 till it burns out. Sediment construct-up on the bottom of gas water heaters encourages noisy operation. The noise is caused by little amounts of water under the sediment layer turning into steam bubbles, which then collapse violently.
Note: Sediment develop-up can lower the energy efficiency of the heater and void the warranty on some Residential Water Heaters!
Tankless Water Heater Upkeep:
Flushing-Most tankless water heater companies advise flushing the whole unit every six months to 1 year depending upon the water high-quality. Reference your manufactures recommendation for flushing. Flushing the unit consistently removes any mineral deposits (normally calcium or lime) that may perhaps have constructed up inside the boilers. Makers propose working with a utility pump to circulate 3 or four gallons of vinegar or an additional low-grade acid for 45 minutes to clean out any deposits.