Your water heater will be probably the most important part of your houses plumbing system. The properly maintained heaters can last coming from ten to 20 years or extra. But , a heater not properly taken care of can fail within 4 to 6 years. The particular condition of the particular drinking water within your area as well as the location of typically the heater in your home are out of your handle, but proper maintenance of the water heater and your domestic plumbing system is essential to heater extended life and safety.
This article gives an individual a list of items to check for both tank type and tankless water heaters. As you go through the steps in checking out your heater, if you have the slightest doubt in your ability, get a professional, licensed plumbing engineer involved! You will be dealing with water, natural gas, and electricity!
Tank Type Water Heater Maintenance:
In-take (Gas Water Heating elements Only)
The vent should be typically the same diameter because the draft diverter on the heaters tank.
The port should go typically “up and out” the ceiling.
Wherever is passes by means of the exterior walls, the vent need to be double-walled.
Vent out sections should be screwed together with a minimum a few screws per segment.
Note: Bad in-take pipe connections can fall apart plus lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, the silent and deadly gasoline!
Temperature & Stress Relief Valve (T&P Valve)The T&P control device is designed to be able to prevent the heater through exploding if the water pressure or perhaps temperature exceeds safe limits.
Pull-up the particular handle on the valve and water should flow out in addition to stop when an individual release the take care of.
The T&P control device includes a drain line which should go straight down to about 6″ from the floor or be plumbed outside your home.
Note: Water dripping out of a new T&P drain range can signal a negative T&P valve, high water pressure, or possibly a malfunctioning thermal development device.
Water Pressure (All Water Heaters)
Water pressure more than 80 pounds per square inch (psi) can damage heaters as well as your piping. It can also harm plumbing appliances, toilets, and your features.
Note: One free items that the have high water pressure will be if the T&P Regulators within the heater starts buying and selling.
Outer Normal water Heater Metal Cover & Plumbing Fittings
Inspect the heaters outer sheet metallic shell for leaking or rusting.
Inspect the plumbing fittings on the heaters for corrosion, rust, or water how to spot.
Note: Rusty accessories or discolored cover is a distinguishing sign that a leak exists!
Heat Control
Inspect typically the heater temperature handle dial to insure its set in the correct water temperature.
The ideal water temperature is 120� Fahrenheit.
Note: Something above 120� F greatly increases scalding risk, energy make use of, and sediment build-up in the base of the heating unit!
Combustion Chamber (Gas Water Heaters)
Convert the gas valve control to “pilot position”.
Remove the outer access hatch or cover about the side associated with the heater.
best tankless water heater flush kit with the chamber for large rusting, water marking, or pitting.
Come back the gas valve control back to be able to the “on position”.
Note: Black soot within the combustion step means drafting issues, combustion problems, storm problems, and the fire hazard!
Base Base (Gas Water Heaters)
Make sure the base base the heater rests on is usually stable and facilitates the unit.
Typically the typical pedestal will keep the bottom part in the heater with least 18″ away the floor.
Be aware: A more recent water water heater may have a “filtered combustion chamber” that is expected to resolve typically the need for some sort of pedestal. Check typically the owner’s manual for your heater.
Depletion Valve
Open the drain valve in order to insure that mineral sediment, anode sludge, or rust hasn’t clogged your heaters drain.
Drain Flood Pan
If your current heater is on the 2nd ground above living space it should have a drain pan.
Typically the drain pan have to be plumbed to be able to the outside of your property.
Inspect the condition of the drain pan, furnishing, and piping for the outside.
Corrosive Smells (Gas Water Emitters & Tankless Drinking water Heaters)
Water heating elements draw air inside for combustion along with the quality of typically the air is crucial.
Corrosive liquids, ammonia, or acids kept near a water heater can lead in order to corrosive air.
Notice: Corrosive air attracted in the burner can prematurely corrode the heater.