Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Is Your Hot Water Heater Leaking?

By Brian Winters


Dealing with water heater leaks can be troublesome, especially if it affects the interiors of your home. You might be surprised how a simple water heater leak can result to stained walls and floors, mold and mildew development and electric shocks. Avoid these issues by detecting signs of leaks in the early stage. Neglecting to maintain your water heater would only cause you to buy a replacement unit sooner than you expected.

Prevent your water heater from leaking by checking it every 4-6 months. All connections and pipe fittings should be installed properly to prevent them from loosening up. If some of them are loose, simply tighten it with a wrench. You may need to replace badly damaged pipes to stop water heater leaks. The bottom of the tank should always be free of rust to protect your family from contaminated water. Once you see holes at the base of your unit, consider buying a replacement heater immediately.

Check the valve and make sure it controls the water flow properly. The relief valve is a safety feature installed with your unit to release excessive pressure inside the tank. This should be working at all times to prevent your water heater from overheating or exploding. However, do not forget to shut down the heating source of your heater prior to inspect it. Always make sure the water supply valve is shut down to stop water from entering the tank during the process. Test the T&P valve by lifting the lever while allowing water to flow out. If it doesn't, you might have to replace it as soon as possible.

It helps draining and flushing the water heater on a semi-annual basis to stop rust and corrosion from building up. Sediments lying at the bottom of the tank can eat the internal components, leading to water heater holes in the long run. Be careful of scalding water whenever it's time to drain the water heater. It's better to turn off the unit the night before draining it to protect your skin from scalding.

Open the drain valve until the tank is empty. Do not forget to flush out the remaining sediments by opening the cold water supply to your tank. Use a bucket to catch the sediments and wait until the water runs clear. You can now refill your storage tank and turn on your heating system.

You can prevent rust and corrosion from developing by checking the anode rod annually. This sacrificial rod works like a magnet to attract charged water molecules inside the tank. Therefore, it is normal for an anode rod to disintegrate since it absorbs all the sediments so your tank wouldn't do so. Drain the tank and lift the rod inside it. If it measures less than of an inch, replace it immediately.

There are times when your water heater leaks due to condensation. This happens when cold water gets mixed in hot water inside the storage tank. Water would eventually stop leaking as soon as the unit starts heating. Expect the water heater to leak more often during chilly seasons.

Water heater leaks shouldn't be so difficult to deal with if you call for a specialist as soon as the problem arises. Letting a professional handle your water heater concerns would keep you at ease knowing your unit is in the hands of a specialist. Attempting to deal with a leaking water heater on your own can only worsen the situation, leading to a more costly repair.




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