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Maintenance on your water heater is very important for the lifespan and safety of your unit. When you think of your water heater one would never think of the dangers that it could potentially possess if not inspected and maintained regularly. Below are some steps for you to maintain and inspect your water heater for maximum efficiency and to ensure its lifespan is long lasting.
Checking the Safety Relief Valve
The Relief valve is a safety measure that prevents the temperature and pressure of the tank to exceed dangerous levels. Over Pressurized tanks can explode like a bomb if this valve is not fully operational.
1- At the top of your water heater is a brass valve with a lever on it and a pipe connected to it.
2- Put a bucket under the pipe
3- Make sure your body is away from the pipe and bucket and pull the lever on the valve
4- You should hear a fizzing sound of air and then see water dump out of the pipe into the bucket.
5- If you do not see water coming out of the pipe, your valve is not operating properly and must be changed right away.
6- If your valve opens but then continues to leak out water after you have let the valve handle go, you must change the valve.
Flushing the Tank
Flushing your water heater tank is beneficial to maintain efficiency and ensure the lifespan is as long as possible.
1- Shut off the electric or gas to the tank.
2- Hook up a hose to the hose bib located at the bottom of your water heater and put the other end of the hose in a place that can receive scalding hot water.
3- Open the hose bib with a screwdriver and flush out the tank
Check the Anode Rod
It is extremely important to stay on top of this because the anode rod is responsible for preventing the water heater from premature failure and corrosion. The anode rod generally is supposed to last for a few years so it is important to take a look at it every now and then.
Make sure to Insulate the Pipes/Heater
By wrapping your water heater with insulation it will protect the temperature of the water longer. You also always want to make sure you are doing regular inspection of the heater so it does not interfere with your hot water.
Maintenance/Inspection
Last but not least, it is very important that you have your water heater inspected every now and then. By doing inspections with certified specialists, this can avoid all problems you can eventually have from your water heater. They will also explain what needs to be fixed (if there is a problem), how much it would cost and they may even recommend a new water heating system if the problem is serious.
For any questions/concerns about your water heater give P.A.C. a call at 718-720-4980. You could also reach us on our Facebook page, Angie’s List, Yelp, Google etc.
-Nick
nick@www.pac-plumbing.com
