Home Maintenance: Installation and Maintenance of Water Heaters
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The cold season is fast approaching, and as we get the rest of our things ready, we often forget some essential items like water heaters. If your household doesn’t have one, it may be time to install one and follow the proper process to maintain it. Let’s look at the whole process below:
Things to Consider When Installing for a Water Heater
1. Type of Water Heater
There are all sorts of water heaters in this modern technology era ranging from a solar, tankless, heat pump, condensing, and conventional heaters. All of those are good, but the tankless water heater is energy-efficient, suitable for all seasons, and they will serve you for longer. Therefore, it will be ideal if you consider them for your home.
2. Water Heater Warranty
We often don’t use the warranty, but it doesn’t mean that you should ignore it. Get a water heater with a reasonable warranty period in case of any faults in the system afterward and a warranty service if possible.
3. The Cost
Again, this will determine how high or low your utility bills will be. If you buy an electric heater, your electrical bills are bound to spike, but you'll lower your utility bills if you buy a solar heater. Also, the installation costs of any water heater vary from company to company.
4. Home’s Physical Space
Even if you get a modern heater that you like, don’t install it in your home if it doesn’t fit well into your space. You don’t want frequent breakdowns and poor energy efficiency. Therefore, getting a properly fitting heater is necessary. Also, the size of the water heater should be sufficient enough to hold the water capacity required for your home.
5. The Plumbing Contractor
Even if you’re handy, it is wise to rely on a professional for water heater installation to ensure that it is put in correctly and running as it should.
6. Installation Height
Well, this seems like an obvious thing to do. However, it would be best if you placed the heater at the height of about 1.8meters from the floor. That ensures that the home dwellers don’t experience water pressure issues. A good plumbing contractor should install this the right way.
7. Installation Space
It would help if you never put the water heater directly onto the wall. This enables the specialist to inspect every part better in case of any repair needs. Also, they should be installed away from the damp areas since they can trap moisture, leading to corrosion.
Maintaining Your Water Heater
1. Empty Your Tank
Your water heater is bound to overwork during the cold seasons. To do this, first, turn off the power supply then empty it to remove any sedimentation that may have built up inside it. This helps prevent clogging and ensures that the water heater functions properly throughout the seasons. Always do this after every six months.
2. Add the Temperatures
It’s normal for the heater to feel like it’s not heating water the right way during the colder seasons. If so, you can add the temperatures accordingly inside the tank to ensure the water heats up as it should. At least, you will be assured of hot water all through the cold season.
3. Insulate the Pipes
During the cold season, the pipes are more likely to get frozen, which may cause them to burst. Therefore, it’s essential to insulate the lines, especially in the house areas that don’t receive a lot of heat, like the garage or basement. Additionally, proper insulation ensures that the water heater doesn’t overwork during the cold seasons, thus saving your utility bills.
4. Inspect The Valve
The valve is a crucial component of the water heater located at the top, and it helps relieve high pressure and temperatures as it runs. Therefore, if it has any corrosion or sediment buildup, it can easily make it shutdown. A professional plumber will inspect this by lifting the valve to see if the hot water flows out from the draining pipe. If it does, then it only means that the valve is working correctly.
5. Check the Vents and Exhausts
The fall season is widely known for dropping leaves which may lead to blockages. A vent blockage means that the water heater receives excess carbon dioxide, which prevents it from functioning as it should. The plumbing experts will ensure that these areas are not blocked and the free flow of oxygen.
6. Check the Anode Rod
An anode rod is a helpful addition to the interior of your water heater, protecting the metal lining inside the tank from corrosion. It attracts elements like calcium that are present in water. Therefore, it is prone to corrosion after some time and needs deterioration to be replaced from time to time. If the rod is coated with whitish-looking elements, or its thickness has reduced more than usual, then it’s time to do that replacement. Make sure that the rod is checked at the start of every season.
7. Check The FloodStop System
A flood stop system is essential for any residence with a water system. It notifies the residents of water leakage and automatically stops the water supply to the water heater. This system is a major lifesaver for most homes as it prevents episodes of water damage and floods.
8. Check the plug
Well, this seems like an obvious tool, but it’s been forgotten a lot of times. The cold season leads to power fluctuations from time to time, leading to a burn or spark in the sockets. So, make sure that it’s checked up and replace it with a new plug if it’s burnt.
Everyone deserves to enjoy some hot water, especially in the cold season. If you get a good plumbing contractor and follow all the listed things, you will enjoy your water heater for a long time, and you won’t have a problem maintaining it.
About the Author
Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.