Water heaters are not designed to last a lifetime. If you are still lacking funds on buying a replacement unit, it is better to maintain it as often as possible. However, once your water heater reaches the end of its lifespan, you have no choice but to replace it with a new one. Do not let problems to escalate by detecting signs of damage in the early stage. Having a water heater in a poor condition can be a great inconvenience to you and your family.
Before inspecting your water heater, always make sure you have a safe environment to work with. You can start by shutting down your circuit breaker or gas supply valve before you proceed. If you see water puddles near the base of your unit, wipe it immediately to avoid splashing the electrical conduits. This is very dangerous, especially if your heating source hasn't been turned off properly. Inform everyone in your household not to touch the circuit breaker while you check your water heater. It also helps bringing a friend or two to accompany you just in case something unexpected happens. If you don't have enough experience working with your water heater, it is wise to consult a specialist immediately.
Using a decade-old water heater is not convenient, especially if it doesn't meet your hot-water needs. It's about time to consider buying a replacement water heater once your old unit stops working efficiently. There are times when you are stuck with a leaking water heater, without even knowing the cause of it. Avoid this by maintaining your tank regularly to check for signs of leaks. When lost, it is safe to assume that water leaks are coming from deteriorated side-wall seam, welded joint or steel thread. Unfortunately, this kind of damage is beyond any repair that replacing it will be your only way out. Do not attempt to install your tank without the help of a professional.
First thing to check is your thermostat settings. Once you notice your water having varying temperatures, adjust it to its correct setting. However, having an unstable water temperature is one of the signs that your water heater is running old. If the problem persists, sediments may have been sitting at the bottom of your tank for a long time. Rust can cause your dip tube and electric elements to deteriorate and stop working. Do not let corrosion eat your tank completely to avoid replacing your unit unexpectedly.
You may not notice it, but an aerator is attached right under your tap to allow water to flow smoothly. Try unscrewing it and remove bits and pieces of plastic inside. When your water heater fails to provide enough warm water for your household, sediments may have been sitting at the bottom of your tank for too long. When this happens, consider buying a replacement unit immediately.
There are times when cold water runs directly to your hot-water pipes. It happens when your dip tube has deteriorated into small broken pieces. This dip tube is responsible for getting the cold water down to the burner where it can be properly heated. After heating, water would eventually rise to the top of the tank all the way to your hot-water taps. If your dip tube is badly damaged, there is no way in stopping cold water to enter your hot water pipes.
If you don't get rid of the sediments on time, holes may start appearing right at the bottom of your tank. Unfortunately, this kind of damage is beyond any repair. Patching holes wouldn't be a good idea since this will only reduce the efficiency of your water heater. It is recommended to drain and flush your unit twice a year to avoid clogging your drain valve and pipe connections. Do not allow this to happen as it will be difficult to pump water from the top part of the tank. Some may vacuum the sediments out, but doing this will only be a waste of your time and money since your internal tank has already rusted.
Before replacing your water heater, make sure to check all areas thoroughly. Several water heater issues may not always need a replacement. However, it is wise to replace your unit right before your old heater breaks down. Doing this gives you more time in looking for the best heating system for your hot-water needs. Modern water heaters out in the market are more efficient and can help reduce your energy consumption. Investing in a cost-efficient unit is more convenient than spending a lot of money on frequent water heater repairs.
Before inspecting your water heater, always make sure you have a safe environment to work with. You can start by shutting down your circuit breaker or gas supply valve before you proceed. If you see water puddles near the base of your unit, wipe it immediately to avoid splashing the electrical conduits. This is very dangerous, especially if your heating source hasn't been turned off properly. Inform everyone in your household not to touch the circuit breaker while you check your water heater. It also helps bringing a friend or two to accompany you just in case something unexpected happens. If you don't have enough experience working with your water heater, it is wise to consult a specialist immediately.
Using a decade-old water heater is not convenient, especially if it doesn't meet your hot-water needs. It's about time to consider buying a replacement water heater once your old unit stops working efficiently. There are times when you are stuck with a leaking water heater, without even knowing the cause of it. Avoid this by maintaining your tank regularly to check for signs of leaks. When lost, it is safe to assume that water leaks are coming from deteriorated side-wall seam, welded joint or steel thread. Unfortunately, this kind of damage is beyond any repair that replacing it will be your only way out. Do not attempt to install your tank without the help of a professional.
First thing to check is your thermostat settings. Once you notice your water having varying temperatures, adjust it to its correct setting. However, having an unstable water temperature is one of the signs that your water heater is running old. If the problem persists, sediments may have been sitting at the bottom of your tank for a long time. Rust can cause your dip tube and electric elements to deteriorate and stop working. Do not let corrosion eat your tank completely to avoid replacing your unit unexpectedly.
You may not notice it, but an aerator is attached right under your tap to allow water to flow smoothly. Try unscrewing it and remove bits and pieces of plastic inside. When your water heater fails to provide enough warm water for your household, sediments may have been sitting at the bottom of your tank for too long. When this happens, consider buying a replacement unit immediately.
There are times when cold water runs directly to your hot-water pipes. It happens when your dip tube has deteriorated into small broken pieces. This dip tube is responsible for getting the cold water down to the burner where it can be properly heated. After heating, water would eventually rise to the top of the tank all the way to your hot-water taps. If your dip tube is badly damaged, there is no way in stopping cold water to enter your hot water pipes.
If you don't get rid of the sediments on time, holes may start appearing right at the bottom of your tank. Unfortunately, this kind of damage is beyond any repair. Patching holes wouldn't be a good idea since this will only reduce the efficiency of your water heater. It is recommended to drain and flush your unit twice a year to avoid clogging your drain valve and pipe connections. Do not allow this to happen as it will be difficult to pump water from the top part of the tank. Some may vacuum the sediments out, but doing this will only be a waste of your time and money since your internal tank has already rusted.
Before replacing your water heater, make sure to check all areas thoroughly. Several water heater issues may not always need a replacement. However, it is wise to replace your unit right before your old heater breaks down. Doing this gives you more time in looking for the best heating system for your hot-water needs. Modern water heaters out in the market are more efficient and can help reduce your energy consumption. Investing in a cost-efficient unit is more convenient than spending a lot of money on frequent water heater repairs.
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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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