Can you think of something more enjoyable than a warm and comfortable shower in colder months? Now imagine yourself in the middle of a warm and cozy rinse and suddenly having icy cold water falling on your body. The reason why this happens is that your water heater is trying to give a wake-up call as it’s probably struggling to keep up its function.
Your water heater needs a bit of regular maintenance in order to function smoothly and efficiently. This is because, over time, sediments and minerals accumulate in the water heaters. When it happens your machinery has to work overtime to get the job done. In the worst scenario, it can also lead to rusting of the tank. Fixing these issues will not only drain your money and time but also deprive you of using the machine. Therefore, you should look for an efficient Carlsbad plumber to understand how things work and prevent common mistakes with your water heater.
Common Hot Water Maintenance Checklist
When your water heater maintenance is on point, you won’t have to deal with unwanted issues concerning the hot water supply when the temperature drops close to the freezing point. Most importantly, it will aid in enhancing the life of the heater and you won’t have to look for a plumber near me often.
Let’s Take A Look At The Complete Maintenance Checklist For Your Water Heater:
1. Taking A Close Inspection
Every year, plumbing leakage amounts to 10,000 gallons of water across the world and when this happens, you need to have a plumber Carlsbad to save you from the mishap. Leakage in plumbing pipes is very common although a corroded water heater can also cause this. This could be a tell-tale sign that your water heater is having some difficulties.
Therefore, a thorough visual inspection once or twice a year is the basic aspect of the water heater maintenance. You should check if there are any loose nuts, bolts, or screws. Sometimes aged parts of the machine also allow water leakage. Check whether there is any sign of corrosion or rust or a pool of water under the tank as well.
Some plumbing tasks like fastening and securing the screws and bolts can be done by any layperson. But if you find that the major parts are corroded, it’s best to search for plumber near me.
2. Flushing The Water Heater A Few Times
If the percentage of calcium carbonate is more than 180 mg/l, it indicates that the water is very hard. Even though hard water is not able to cause any ailments, heating it forms white scales on the surface k which it is heated. As a result, the efficiency of the water heater is brought down over time. You will also notice that the heating costs have gone up.
A good way to deal with this problem is to install a filter and whole-water softener. Softeners help reduce the accumulation of sediment and filters can bring down contaminants. As a critical part of your water heater maintenance, you should aim to flush the tank twice a year. This will rule out debris and sediment in the tank.
3. Checking The Condition Of The Pressure Relief Valve
Whether your water heater runs on electricity or gas, it is equipped with a pressure and temperature release valve. This valve is an important safety device whose main function is to open for releasing excess temperature as well as pressure buildup within the tank. When the pressure and temperature go higher than the prescribed benchmark of 210 F / 150 psi, the valve must automatically open immediately.
When it doesn’t happen this way, the high pressure and temperature within the tank can cause it to burst. While it’s true that it can only happen in rare instances, you cannot rule out the chances completely. It’s a plausible risk and you would never want to take it since a water heater explosion can cause severe injuries.
It’s important to note here that as the water inside the tank starts to boil, it is transformed into a gas. The longer the water heater runs, the hotter will be the temperature of the tank and pressure buildup will also increase. When the tank fails to withstand it any further, it triggers the safety valve to open for letting out excessive pressure.
When the valve is damaged or dysfunctional, this function is hampered. Thus, it’s crucial that you search for plumber near me and get the safety valve checked once in a year. You may also do it yourself. For this, you have to place a bucket underneath the valve for catching the water. Next, pull the trip lever of the safety valve. If it’s working fine, you will notice vapor, water, and a gush of air will be released.
4. Replacing The Anode Rod
The anode rod is the instrument within the water heater that stops the inner layer from corrosion. It is basically a tube made either from magnesium, aluminum, or zinc. The rod moves to the top of the water attracting elements in water and causing oxidation.
When the anode rod is not working, the lining of the water heater will corrode way faster. The anode rod rusts faster than the lining of the tank which means that the oxidizing elements get attracted to it. Since the anode rod bears the maximum brunt of the machine, the anode rod can last for only three to five years.
When the oxygen level in the tank is higher, the anode rod will wear down faster. If you find that the water has a rusty aftertaste or metallic taste, it’s a sign that you have to call an experienced Carlsbad plumber to replace the anode rod.
5. Checking The Plug
In case there is low capacity wiring or power fluctuations, it indicates that the socket switch will give way to sparks often. If you look closely, you may also find burn marks on the pins of the plugs since high wattage of electricity will heat it up and leave behind burn traces.
To prevent such mishaps from happening, you must check the plug thoroughly. If you see signs of wearing, you should get new plugs and sockets and wire them properly. It’s always suggested to use MCB switches rather than regular ones since these switches are better equipped compared to standard plugs. As a result, there will be no chance of a short circuit.
Important Water Heater Safety Tips
Besides regular maintenance of your water heater, any water heater installation near me would also suggest you to observe some safety precautions for the appliance. Finding out how the water heater works along with regular maintenance is a critical aspect of water heater safety.
Here Are A Few Things You Can Keep In Mind:
1. Keeping Some Space Around The Gadget
When you are looking for a water heater installation near me, make sure you have enough room between the walls and the appliance. When the technician doesn’t get adequate space for wriggling around to check the parts of the water heater, servicing it properly may become a task.
In times of crisis, it should be easily accessible for inspection and repairing. Even though many people prefer installing the appliance right above the toilet for improved access, it will prevent the Carlsbad plumber from reaching the water heater easily. If you are installing the appliance for the first time, it’s advised that you ensure there is nothing under the heater.
2. Avoid Keeping The Appliance On For Long
Many people tend to keep their water heaters turned on for a long. This generally happens in the morning when there is a rush and keeping it on for long will save a great deal of time. But today, water heaters are designed to produce hot water within a couple of minutes. But this will not only bring down the life of the water heater but also cause electrical hazards.
3. Bring The Thermostat Temperature To 120 Degrees
A temperature higher than 120 degrees causes more minerals to settle and give way to deposit formation. Thus 120 degrees is a safe zone for regular use. In case you are going for a holiday, it’s recommended that you change the setting mode to vacation which will keep up the pilot light sans water heating. If there is any water heating emergency, the first thing to do is to cut off the power supply.
The water heater is a piece of appliance that you need to rely on. You cannot afford to be a victim of poor maintenance of your water heater. You can look for plumber near me for scheduling a maintenance check right away. This will enable you to spot the potential issues in the system much before they can worsen and lead to the malfunction of the geyser. It is best not to wait for all these to happen and run the risk of corrosion. Make sure you include a yearly inspection to continue having warm showers in chilly winters for years to come.