Your water heater is in all probability the most essential part of your residences plumbing system. A adequately maintained heater can final from ten to fifteen years or far more. But, a heater not effectively maintained can fail in four to six years. The condition of the drinking water in your location and the place of the heater in your dwelling are out of your manage, but right upkeep of the heater and your plumbing technique is essential to heater longevity and security.

This write-up provides you a list of products to verify for each tank form and tankless water heaters. As you go by means of the measures in checking your heater, if you have the slightest doubt in your capacity, get a skilled, licensed plumber involved! You are dealing with hot water, natural gas, and electrical energy!

Tank Variety Water Heater Upkeep:

Vent (Gas Water Heaters Only)

The vent should be the very same diameter as the draft diverter on the heater tank.
The vent need to go typically “up and out” the ceiling.
Exactly where is passes via the exterior wall, the vent need to be double-walled.
Vent sections should be screwed together with a minimum three screws per section.
Note: Negative vent pipe connections can fall apart and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, the silent and deadly gas!

Temperature & Stress Relief Valve (T&P Valve)The T&P valve is developed to protect against the heater from exploding if the water stress or temperature exceeds protected limits.

Pull up the deal with on the valve and water need to flow out and quit when you let go of the deal with.
The T&P valve has a drain line that should really go down to about 6″ from the floor or be plumbed outdoors your home.
Note: Water leaking out of a T&P drain line can signal a bad T&P valve, high water stress, or a malfunctioning thermal expansion device.

Water Pressure (All Water Heaters)

Water pressure over 80 pounds per square inch (psi) can damage heaters and your piping. It can also damage plumbing appliances, toilets, and your fixtures.
Note: One giveaway that your have high water pressure is when the T&P Valve on the heater starts opening and closing.

Outer Water Heater Metal Shell & Plumbing Fittings

Inspect the heater outer sheet metal shell for leaks or rusting.
Inspect the plumbing fittings on the heater for corrosion, rust, or water spotting.
Note: Rusty fittings or discolored shell is a telltale sign that a leak is present!

Temperature Handle

Inspect the heater temperature handle dial to insure its set at the correct water temperature.
The excellent water temperature is 120° Fahrenheit.
Note: Anything above 120° Fahrenheit considerably increases scalding risk, power use, and sediment make-up in the bottom of the heater!

Combustion Chamber (Gas Water Heaters)

Turn the gas valve manage to “pilot position”.
Remove the outer access hatch or cover on the side of the heater.
Inspect the roof of the chamber for heavy rusting, water marking, or pitting.
Return the gas valve manage back to the “on position”.
Note: Black soot in the combustion chamber indicates drafting challenges, combustion complications, fume issues, and a fire hazard!

Pedestal Base (Gas Water Heaters)

Make certain the pedestal base the heater rests on is steady and supports the unit.
The typical pedestal will retain the bottom of the heater at least 18″ off the floor.
Note: A newer water heater may possibly have a “filtered combustion chamber” that is supposed to resolve the need for a pedestal. Check the owner’s manual for your heater.

Drain Valve

Open the drain valve to insure that mineral sediment, anode sludge, or rust has not clogged your heaters drain.
Drain Overflow Pan

If your heater is on the 2nd floor above living space it should have a drain pan.
The drain pan ought to be plumbed to the outdoors of your property.
Inspect the situation of the drain pan, fittings, and piping to the outside.
Corrosive Fumes (Gas Water Heaters & Tankless Water Heaters)

Water heaters draw air in for combustion and the quality of the air is essential.
Corrosive liquids, ammonia, or acids stored near a heater can lead to corrosive air.
Note: Corrosive air drawn into the burner can prematurely corrode the heater.

Internal Tank Corrosion and Rust-The internal tank of your heater is constructed of steel and glass lined to protect against rust. Sacrificial anode rods are installed in the tank to safeguard the glass lined internal steel tank from rust. Aluminum/Zinc or magnesium anode rods corrode more than time and get utilized up by way of an electrolytic approach.

Note: Replacing the anode rod can extend the life of the heater but, really should be accomplished by a trained, experienced service technician.

Sediment Create-up-Sediment is created when tough water is heated. The create-up of sediment in the bottom of the tank can bring about the bottom to overheat and melt away the glass lining of the tank. water heater replacement can drift into recirculating lines, jam open verify valves, and bring about the recirculating pump to stick until it burns out. Sediment construct-up on the bottom of gas water heaters encourages noisy operation. The noise is brought on by smaller amounts of water beneath the sediment layer turning into steam bubbles, which then collapse violently.

Note: Sediment develop-up can decrease the energy efficiency of the heater and void the warranty on some Residential Water Heaters!

Tankless Water Heater Upkeep:

Flushing-Most tankless water heater producers recommend flushing the complete unit every single 6 months to 1 year depending upon the water high-quality. Reference your manufactures recommendation for flushing. Flushing the unit frequently removes any mineral deposits (generally calcium or lime) that may have constructed up inside the boilers. Manufacturers recommend working with a utility pump to circulate three or four gallons of vinegar or yet another low-grade acid for 45 minutes to clean out any deposits.