Water Heater Repair Tips For the Home Owner
Water heater repair is considered as one of the most expensive repair needs. Most households spend a lot of money and time maintaining gardens, home interiors, kitchen equipments, and the like. But we spend very little time on water heater maintenance. Because of this, we encounter unexpected water heater repair needs. This can cause a wide range of inconveniences to the household. The good news is that most of these problems are actually fairly easy to fix – no need to call the plumber. All you need to do is to learn at least the basics. Here are some tips to help you with water heater repair.
First and foremost, it is very important that you understand how water heaters work. Contrary to what many people think, these are simple devices. Water heaters are holding tanks that come with cold water intake and a hot water outlet. There are several other components inside the device – heating element, a dip tube, and a sacrificial rod. The rod is the one responsible for preventing corrosion inside the tank.
- Learn how to drain a hot heater. One of the most common water heater repair needs that many women encounter is draining. Draining is relatively easy. First, always ensure that the heater is turned off. Do this by switching off the gas supply or the electric panel. Allow the water to cool before you close the cold water intake. Attach a hose to the valve at the bottom of the tank.
- When dealing with water heater repair, always drain the water outside your home. Bring the tank outside then that’s when you start draining. First, you need to flush out the tank. Once all the water is gone, close the tank drain and then open the cold water intake valve. Fill the tank with ¼ water and then shut off the cold water for the second time. Lastly, open the drain to get rid of sediments that have accumulated inside the tank.
It is highly encouraged that you flush the tank at least once a year. Most water heater manufacturers recommend this recommend this as a form of standard maintenance. Doing so will help avoid unexpected water heater repair needs. Accumulated sediments inside the tank can cause a lot of odd odors like the smell of rotting egg. If you clean your heater on a regular basis, you won’t only keep your home safe from this unlikely smell, you would also provide enough room for water.
If your heater does not release hot water, it could be a cause of a non-functional gas thermocouple. Consider this as your do-it-yourself water heater repair challenge. Replace the components and install a new one. Installing is easy. Just follow the instructions very carefully.
Not all water heater repair needs require professional attention. Many of these problems can be solved on your own. Doing so saves you a lot of money. As long as you keep yourself familiar with the basic water heater repair techniques, there’s no need to call the plumber. You would manage to get through.
