Your water heater is almost certainly the most important element of your homes plumbing technique. A appropriately maintained heater can final from ten to fifteen years or additional. But, a heater not adequately maintained can fail in four to six years. The condition of the drinking water in your area and the place of the heater in your household are out of your manage, but suitable upkeep of the heater and your plumbing method is crucial to heater longevity and security.

This report offers you a list of products to check for each tank form and tankless water heaters. As you go by way of the steps in checking your heater, if you have the slightest doubt in your capacity, get a qualified, 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 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.
Exactly where is passes by means of the exterior wall, the vent need to be double-walled.
water heater repair near me need to 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 prevent the heater from exploding if the water stress or temperature exceeds secure limits.

Pull up the manage on the valve and water need to flow out and cease when you let go of the deal with.
The T&P valve has a drain line that really should go down to about six” from the floor or be plumbed outside your dwelling.

Note: Water leaking out of a T&P drain line can signal a undesirable T&P valve, higher water pressure, or a malfunctioning thermal expansion device.

Water Stress (All Water Heaters)

Water pressure over 80 pounds per square inch (psi) can damage heaters and your piping. It can also harm plumbing appliances, toilets, and your fixtures.
Note: One giveaway that your have high 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 Control

Inspect the heater temperature control dial to insure its set at the correct water temperature.
The best water temperature is 120° Fahrenheit.
Note: Anything above 120° Fahrenheit drastically increases scalding risk, energy use, and sediment develop-up in the bottom of the heater!

Combustion Chamber (Gas Water Heaters)

Turn the gas valve handle to “pilot position”.
Get rid of 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 suggests drafting difficulties, combustion complications, fume troubles, 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 hold 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 will need 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 ought to have a drain pan.
The drain pan should really be plumbed to the outdoors of your property.
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 quality of the air is vital.
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 stop 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 over time and get made use of up through an electrolytic process.

Note: Replacing the anode rod can extend the life of the heater but, need to be carried out by a educated, expert service technician.

Sediment Construct-up-Sediment is created when really hard water is heated. The create-up of sediment in the bottom of the tank can trigger the bottom to overheat and melt away the glass lining of the tank. It can drift into recirculating lines, jam open verify valves, and trigger 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 triggered by compact amounts of water beneath the sediment layer turning into steam bubbles, which then collapse violently.

Note: Sediment make-up can reduce 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 advise flushing the whole unit every single 6 months to 1 year depending upon the water good quality. Reference your manufactures recommendation for flushing. Flushing the unit frequently removes any mineral deposits (commonly calcium or lime) that might have built up inside the boilers. Producers propose applying a utility pump to circulate three or 4 gallons of vinegar or another low-grade acid for 45 minutes to clean out any deposits.