Your water heater is probably the most important part of your houses plumbing system. A properly maintained heaters can last by ten to twelve to fifteen years or additional. However a heater not properly taken care of can fail within 4 to 6 years. The condition of the drinking water within your area and the location of the particular heater at home are out there of your handle, but proper preservation of the heating unit and your plumbing system is important to heater extended life and safety.

This particular article gives you a directory of items to be able to check for the two tank type in addition to tankless water emitters. As you go through typically the steps in looking at your heater, if you have the slightest doubt inside your ability, get a new professional, licensed plumbing technician involved! You will be dealing with warm water, natural gas, and electricity!

Tank Sort Hot water heater Maintenance:

Vent (Gas Water Heaters Only)

The vent out should be the same diameter while the draft diverter on the water heater tank.

The vent should go usually “up and out” the ceiling.

In which is passes by way of the exterior wall structure, the vent should be double-walled.

In-take sections should become screwed together together with a minimum three screws per part.

Note: Bad port pipe connections can fall apart and even cause carbon monoxide poisoning, the quiet and deadly gasoline!

Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve (T&P Valve)The T&P valve is designed in order to prevent the heater through exploding if the particular water pressure or perhaps temperature exceeds safe limits.

Pull up typically the handle on the valve and water should flow out plus stop when a person let go of the take care of.

The T&P device contains a drain range that should go down to about 6″ from the floor or be plumbed outside your home.

Note: Water seeping out of some sort of T&P drain line can signal an undesirable T&P valve, large water pressure, or perhaps a malfunctioning thermal development device.

Water Stress (All Water Heaters)

Water pressure above 80 pounds for each square inch (psi) can damage emitters and your piping. It can also harm plumbing appliances, lavatories, and your fixtures.

Note: One giveaway that your particular have great water pressure is usually once the T&P Device on the heater begins frequent lowering and raising.

Outer Water Heater Metal Covering & Plumbing Furnishing

Inspect the water heater outer sheet metal shell for leaking or rusting.

Inspect the plumbing fittings on the water heater for corrosion, oxidation, or water how to spot.

Note: Rusty fixtures or discolored covering is a distinguishing sign that a new leak exists!

Temperature Control

Inspect the particular heater temperature control dial to make sure its set in the correct temperature of the water.

The ideal water temperature is 120� Fahrenheit.

Note: Something above 120� Fahrenheit greatly increases scalding risk, energy work with, and sediment build-up in the bottom part of the heaters!

Combustion Chamber (Gas Water Heaters)

Switch the gas device control to “pilot position”.

Remove typically the outer access hatch or cover in the side associated with the heater.

Inspect the roof from the chamber for large rusting, water observing, or pitting.

Go back the gas valve control back in order to the “on position”.

Note: Black soot inside the combustion holding chamber means drafting issues, combustion problems, storm problems, and a fire hazard!

Basamento Base (Gas Water Heaters)

Guarantee the basamento base the heater rests on is stable and facilitates the unit.

Typically Tile & Grout Cleaning Aurora CO will keep the underside in the heater from least 18″ off the floor.

Take note: A newer water heaters may have the “filtered combustion chamber” that is intended to resolve the need for some sort of pedestal. Check typically the owner’s manual intended for your heater.

Strain Valve

Open typically the drain valve to be able to insure that nutrient sediment, anode sludge, or rust have not clogged your heating units drain.

Drain Overflow Pan

If your current heater is upon the 2nd floor above living area this should have a drain pan.

The drain pan should be plumbed to the outside associated with your home.

Inspect the condition of typically the drain pan, fittings, and piping for the outside.

Corrosive Smoke (Gas Water Heating elements & Tankless Water Heaters)

Water heating units draw air in for combustion and the quality of the particular air is essential.

Corrosive liquids, hydrogen, or acids stored near a water heater can lead to be able to corrosive air.

Note: Corrosive air driven in the burner can prematurely corrode the particular heater.