Apr
19
Understanding how your water heater operates is part of being a responsible homeowner. When you have a general understanding of your water heater, if problems arise, you will be prepared.
One of the most important parts of your water heater is the temperature and pressure relief valve, also known as the T&P relief valve. This particular valve plays an essential part in the safe operation of your water heater.
The T&P relief valve works to keep your water heater from developing abnormally high pressure within its walls. When the pressure gets too high, the valve opens and relieves the pressure. Without it, the pressure could continue to increase, leading to a possible explosion – and even serious injuries to those inside your home.
You should test the temperature and pressure relief valve on your water heater at least every six months. To test the valve, place a basin or bucket underneath it and lift the valve up. When the valve is open, hot water should flush out and into the waiting basin or bucket. Gently close the valve after testing, taking care not to be too forceful with it. If the water does not flow freely out of the valve during testing, you should have it replaced by a licensed professional.
The size of the T&P relief valve on your water heater depends on the size of your water heater. If you are not sure if your valve is the right size, have a professional plumber examine your water heater. He or she will ensure that your T&P relief valve is the right size and that it is located in the right area.
If your water heater does not have a T&P relief valve, contact a plumber immediately to have a valve installed. Never operate your water heater without making sure that the temperature and pressure relief valve meets all necessary codes – this will ensure the safe operation of the water heater and the safety of your loved ones.
Apr
18
The Importance Of Controlling Hot Water From Your Water Heater
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Your water heater is an essential part of your home. Without it, you cannot have the ease and convenience of hot water from the faucet.
You use your water heater more than you realize. Each time you wash the dishes, do the laundry or take a bath, your water heater makes it possible to do so without any hassle. However, while having access to hot water is a huge convenience, you must also take care to ensure that the water does not get too hot.
When the water coming out of your faucet is too hot, it can pose a serious risk to you and other members of your household. Someone could be scalded or even seriously burned if the water is too hot. That is why you must take the necessary measures to control the temperature of the hot water that comes from your water heater.
The use of an anti-scald valve can help regulate the temperature of the water in your water heater. When someone uses a faucet, the valve will mix cold water with the hot water to make sure that the water is not too hot when it reaches the faucet. Read more
Apr
4
While a water heater can provide you with many years of excellent service, at some point, you will have to replace it. If you use a professional to install a new water heater, you won’t have to ask the question “what do I do with my old water heater”, he’ll take it with him when he leaves. But what if you have an old one sitting in your basement or garage and have no idea what to do with it?
The first thing you must do is drain the old water heater. This can be accomplished by connecting a water hose to the drain valve. Make sure the water runs to a floor drain or outside to prevent any possible damage to the flooring.
Once the water heater is drained, it is time to figure out how to get rid of it. Before you set it beside your trashcans for pickup, contact your local garbage disposal department to make sure they will take it. In some cases they have special pickup rules that allow large item pickup for a fee.
If your local garbage disposal department does not dispose of water heaters, utilize the internet to find other disposal resources. There are various recycling websites that may have a branch in your neighborhood for recycling the water heater. You can even contact area steel industries to inquire about recycling. Read more
Jan
10
Water Heater Troubleshooting
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When you are experiencing problems with your hot water heater, it can seem like an overwhelming process to determine what is wrong. The professionals recommend a basic process of elimination to determine the cause and to create a solution for the problems.
Basic Problems
Water heaters are fairly simple in nature: they heat water. When it comes to problems, you can usually categorize them into a few things. Your water heater may have little to no hot water, the water may have a funny smell or taste, or it may be leaking. If you suffer from any of these problems, it is important to start with a few precautions in order to stay safe. You should shut off any electricity or gas before touching the heater. In addition, you should shut the water off to prevent any disasters. Read more
Oct
26
Water heaters are a wonderful invention of modern society. Because of them, we have a reserve of hot water ready and waiting for us whenever we desire. That being said, water heaters can also be a big hassle. They take up quite a bit of space and they are a bit of an eye soar. Let’s face it, you can’t paint it, decorate it, or in any way disguise that well known industrial look.
If you have decided that the bulky thing is cramping your style, you might be considering moving it to somewhere a little less conspicuous. Before you do, be forewarned – moving a water heater can be costly and difficult. Here are a few issues you might run into if you take on this project.
Read more
Sep
27
We take hot water for granted. If there is hot water to wash clothes, dishes, and ourselves, we seldom think of how it got there. Out of sight, out of mind; so long as the water heater is working it is ignored. But while you are busy with your life, your water heater may be plotting to ruin your day. While the requirements for water heaters vary from state to state, here are a few danger signs and potential problem areas you should be aware of.
Venting - Proper venting is essential for proper water heater functionality. If the vents are damaged or improperly installed, they could lead to backdrafting of fumes or worse: carbon monoxide leaks.
Temperature/Pressure Relief Valve - The Temperature/Pressure Relief Valve is intended as a safety measure against overheating or over-pressurization within the water heater. Unfortunately, these valves are prone to failure. You should regularly check the valve by pulling up on the handle. Water should run freely while you hold the handle. If it does not, you should call a plumber to replace it. Read more
Sep
21
Your Water Heater Can Provide You With Emergency Drinking Water – Here’s How
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Clean drinking water is something you should never be without during an emergency – with your hot water heater, you never have to be. Whether you are suffering the effects of a flood or major power outage because of natural disasters, you should know how to get emergency drinking water from your hot water heater.
Turn off the power – The first step is to shut the power off to your hot water heater. Once you empty it, you will not want it to run because it will cause damage to the heater itself. You will need to determine if your heater runs on electricity or gas and shut it off appropriately, either through the circuit breaker or shutting the gas valve off.
Close supply valve – Shutting the supply valve off will prevent the water department from pumping contaminated water into your system once the water comes back on. Read more
Aug
24
Your hot water heater is one of the most useful appliances in your home. It provides you with hot water for cooking, laundry, cleaning, and bathing. Without it, you would be stuck trying to find another way to have hot water, such as heating it on the stove.
Your hot water heater saves you precious time and energy by giving you a constant source of heated water. Yet it’s the problems that make you appreciate it the most. When the heater quits heating, you simply call in the plumber to have it repaired or replaced. But what if something really goes wrong? When it malfunctions, it is imperative that you are able to turn it off until you can find the source of the problem. In case your water heater ever begins to malfunction, the following steps will show you how to turn off your hot water heater. Read more
Aug
16
A water heater is an essential appliance for your home. It provides the hot water you use for cooking, cleaning and bathing.
Whether you are building a new home, or replacing a water heater that is old or no longer working, one of the first things you will be faced with is determining the right water heater for your situation. Like many things we buy, its easy to fall into the trap of choosing the biggest and best with the assumption that will be the best choice for your home. Unfortunately, if you choose a size that is too large, you will be wasting water, energy and money. If you choose one that is too small, you will find yourself running out of hot water – an uncomfortable situation when you are taking a shower.
There are actually several things to consider to help you select the right water heater for your home. Read more
Jul
20
The water heater in your home is an important appliance. It may even be the most important appliance. Without a water heater, you have no hot water (unless you enjoy heating it on the stove).
A water heater provides access to instant hot water for bathing, laundry, and cooking. When your water heater stops working, it can be costly to replace. The following tips will help you extend the life of your water heater to ensure that it runs properly for many years.
Install a water softener. If your area is known to have hard water, consider installing a water softener. Hard water can lead to build-up inside your water heater that can eventually cause it to stop working. A water softener will help reduce hard-water build-up and extend the life of your water heater.
Maintain your water heater. At least once a year, clean and flush out your water heater. This will remove any sludge and build-ups that have developed, which can lead to malfunction. This is especially important for water heaters that are older models (newer models tend to have self-cleaning options). Read more
Blogroll
- Quality 1st Plumbing website - Quality 1st Plumbing website
- Troubleshooter - Tom Martino – The Trouble Shooter
- WaterSense