Since water heaters don't come cheap, it is important to perform water heater maintenance regularly. Once it stops operating and generating hot water, it is normal to be irritated since it's causing a great inconvenience in your household. Regular maintenance keeps the heater in good condition, resulting to a much longer life expectancy. Contact a specialist if you think you cannot manage to do it alone.
Prior to carrying out repairs or inspecting the heater, always make sure its heating source is turned off. It can be dangerous to inspect the heater while the power is switched on. Prevent water from entering the tank by turning off the cold water valve. Doing these necessary steps is important to avoid putting your life at risk during the repair process.
Oftentimes, water heater breaks down due to the excessive sediment buildup inside the tank. When this happens, expect the water heater to operate inefficiently. These sediments can be found in a honeycomb fashion, eventually limiting the volume of water, which can be stored inside. At this point, you may have to replace the water heater anytime soon if the sediments can no longer be flushed out.
Sediments can be reduced if you use a water softener. However, expect the anode rod to deteriorate faster since using a softener reduces its lifespan by 50 to 60 percent. Take note of this fact since this sacrificial rod is responsible for attracting charged water molecules inside. Check your anode rod from time to time to protect your tank from rusting completely.
It helps adjusting the temperature to minimize the hard water minerals from accumulating. A temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit can cause the sediments to grow rapidly while a lower temperature of 115 degrees or less can result to Legionnaire's disease, in which a person can acquire through frequent inhaling of germ-filled water. Hospitals set their water temperature at about 170 degrees Fahrenheit to kill bacteria inside.
If you think the temperature inside the tank is too high, adjust the thermostat settings immediately. Wait for an hour until you test the water. You can fill a cup with hot water and use a meat thermometer to check if the water is warm enough. For gas-fired units, simply turn the dial to change the thermostat settings. You can also change the flame size by adjusting the center of the control knob that should look like a screw.
If you are using an electric-powered unit, install a low-watt density element that has a double surface area. This kind of element can heat water like a high-watt density element. Watch out if your water pressure exceeds over 50 psi. Lower down the temperature to prevent the unit from overheating and exploding.
If the problem persists, you can always call a specialist to help resolve the issue. Attempting to fix it on your own can only worsen the situation, resulting to costly water heater repairs. Do not let this happen by letting a professional deal with your unit properly.
Prior to carrying out repairs or inspecting the heater, always make sure its heating source is turned off. It can be dangerous to inspect the heater while the power is switched on. Prevent water from entering the tank by turning off the cold water valve. Doing these necessary steps is important to avoid putting your life at risk during the repair process.
Oftentimes, water heater breaks down due to the excessive sediment buildup inside the tank. When this happens, expect the water heater to operate inefficiently. These sediments can be found in a honeycomb fashion, eventually limiting the volume of water, which can be stored inside. At this point, you may have to replace the water heater anytime soon if the sediments can no longer be flushed out.
Sediments can be reduced if you use a water softener. However, expect the anode rod to deteriorate faster since using a softener reduces its lifespan by 50 to 60 percent. Take note of this fact since this sacrificial rod is responsible for attracting charged water molecules inside. Check your anode rod from time to time to protect your tank from rusting completely.
It helps adjusting the temperature to minimize the hard water minerals from accumulating. A temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit can cause the sediments to grow rapidly while a lower temperature of 115 degrees or less can result to Legionnaire's disease, in which a person can acquire through frequent inhaling of germ-filled water. Hospitals set their water temperature at about 170 degrees Fahrenheit to kill bacteria inside.
If you think the temperature inside the tank is too high, adjust the thermostat settings immediately. Wait for an hour until you test the water. You can fill a cup with hot water and use a meat thermometer to check if the water is warm enough. For gas-fired units, simply turn the dial to change the thermostat settings. You can also change the flame size by adjusting the center of the control knob that should look like a screw.
If you are using an electric-powered unit, install a low-watt density element that has a double surface area. This kind of element can heat water like a high-watt density element. Watch out if your water pressure exceeds over 50 psi. Lower down the temperature to prevent the unit from overheating and exploding.
If the problem persists, you can always call a specialist to help resolve the issue. Attempting to fix it on your own can only worsen the situation, resulting to costly water heater repairs. Do not let this happen by letting a professional deal with your unit properly.
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Learn more about water heater repair tips . Stop by Brian Winters's site where you can find out all about water heater maintenance and how it can benefit you.
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