Nowadays, homes have an electric water heater installed to control temperature. It has become a popular choice since in urban settings everything is run on electricity. These machines require regular maintenance work to continue operating at an optimum level.
Homeowners want to get heated water on demand which is why it’s wise to invest in maintaining your water heater. A typical water heater will last 10 years with proper maintenance practices. We have listed four major things to consider when maintaining your equipment:
- Device safety
Whenever you’re doing maintenance on your water heater, please remember to turn it off and disconnect it from its source of electricity. The electrical wiring might get damaged when you’re doing routine maintenance on it.
Water heaters should be installed in a place that does not block out its vents. Air circulation is crucial which means owners should also build vents that can release enough hot air to keep the device temperature from reaching critical levels.
- Pressure
All water heaters have a pressure relief valve usually found on the upper part of the device. As your heater continues to operate, pressure builds up inside from the accumulation of water vapors from the heating process. The valve helps control pressure by releasing the vapor inside that had accumulated inside the machine.
It is good practice to check on the valve regularly to see if it continues to function properly. You want to avoid a broken release valve at all costs because it will damage the heater, or worse, cause the tank to burst from all the unrelieved pressure.
- System flush
The standard flushing time for water heaters would be at least six months. Hard water has materials such as sediments and dirt that could accumulate inside your tank with continued use. Flushing the entire system will ensure that your tank doesn’t have excess materials lying inside.
Materials accumulating inside your water heaters tank will cause corrosion on the parts inside your equipment. It will also cause your system to operate at less than optimum level which means it will heat a lot slower and consume more energy because of the work it had to do to heat the water.
- Precautions
Fire hazards near a water heater is a big no-no. Water tanks get hot and stay hot when it is operating and placing it near fire hazards is a bad idea. Keep flammable liquids away from your water heater to avoid generating a spark. Plastic materials should also be taken away to avoid a chemical reaction with the fumes or heat.
Practice checking your water heater’s temperature regularly to avoid reaching temperatures that are too hot. This is a sign that your water heater is accumulating to much pressure inside or the temperature control functions are damaged.
Taking the simple advice, will go a long way in protecting your investment in a water heater. This will help you avoid additional repair costs for your water heating system. It is also important to seek help from a professional plumber if you do experience problems with your water heater.
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