We depend upon the water heaters a lot today. However, since most of the times these heaters are installed in the garage or basement, we tend to ignore them until they stop providing hot water because of some technical problems. Proper maintenance of the heaters ensures that they last long.
You just need to do three simple steps to keep your tank in a good condition. This process takes only a few minutes to accomplish. These three steps include:
1. Changing the temperature
2. Checking relief valve for pressure and temperature
3. Flush sediments from the bottom of the tank
1. Changing the temperature
There is a dial at the front of the water heater tank. It can be a knob on the gas valve or a thermostat on an electric heater. The preferred temperature is 60 degrees. Keeping it hotter than this not only increases the electricity usage thereby wasting you a lot of money on electricity bills, it also affects the heaters in a long run.
2. Checking relief valve for pressure and temperature
In this, you have to check the pressure and temperature of the water heater. This is very critical to ensure the proper operation of the water heater and it is essential for the safety. Follow these steps to check the relief valve:
• Pull the lever around half way, hold it for some while and let it snap back
• Listen to the gurgling sound. If you hear the sound that means the valve is allowing water to be released into the drain.
• If you are unable to hear the sound that means the valve is in bad shape and needs to replaced soon.
3. Flush sediments from the bottom of the tank
This step prevents corrosion and rust from building up inside the tank. Since it is always better to flush the full tank, you will have to shut down your storage tank and drain all of the water inside. Follow these steps to do this:
• Hook up a hose and run it outside or put a bucket under the valve that is located under the tank
• Remove the handle if required with the help of a screwdriver.
• Turning the handle clockwise will allow the water to get drained out
• After you have drained a couple of gallons, turn the drain off by turning clockwise.
You have to be cautious about the temperature of the water inside the tank. Expect it to be hot and make sure to take necessary precaution to not burn you.
Even if you take proper care, there are chances that your heater will still have problems. Some of the signs that indicate the heater is having problems are
• It is unable to give you hot water
• Water is leaking from around the base
• Low popping sound inside the tank
• Rust color of water
Considering water heaters are so much of importance in our daily lives, one should call a professional plumber to repair the problems with it.
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.articlecorp.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
