Without an effective water heating system, it is next to impossible to be able to survive in the freezing winters. However, for the effective function, it is important to conduct its frequent maintenance. This is why many tankless water heater repair in Hilliard OH companies are famous.
It is crucial that you frequently and thoroughly clean your tankless water heater as a part of the maintenance routine. If still, your water heater fails to perform an effective job, you may want to consider a tankless water heater replacement.
Water heaters are either powered by gas or electricity, however, many homeowners still these days use the old, conventional water heaters that save the heated water in a tank. But modern home designs are equipped with energy-efficient tankless water heaters.
Contents
The Importance of Water Heater Maintenance at Home
Admit it, the reality is that we all take our heating appliances for granted until one day they suddenly malfunction and we are forced to wash dishes or take a shower with cold water. When the cold becomes unbearable, that is when we dial the number of a repairman in panic.
But, do you know you can avoid this situation by simply maintaining a stringent and regular water heater maintenance routine.
If you have never given this a thought, you are not be blamed. Since the water heater is a tank that just sits at one corner and does the work in the background, it is easy to overlook it. However, sedimentation and rust are constantly eating up your water heater tank from the inside.
Usually, the water heater tanks built out of stainless steel have a layer of glass inside them to avoid rusting. However, this glass layer can rupture over time and the water seeps inside the steel and causes it to rust.
On the other hand, sedimentation from calcium carbonate becomes so thick that it reduces the output of the water heater, increasing your energy bills until it becomes so thick that your water heater practically becomes useless.
So, to make sure your water heater gets to live its full life, you must look after it.
Drainage & Cleaning of Your Water Heater Tank
The first thing that should be on your maintenance list, is the drainage and cleanliness of the water heater tank at least once every year. This will help get rid of any built-up sediment inside. You can do this in the following steps:
- Switch off the power supply to your heater whether it is gas or electric.
- Then take a garden hose and attach it to the drainage wall present towards the bottom of the tank
- Switch off the inlet water valve present at the top
- Switch on the pressure relief valve to get rid of the vacuum inside
- Now turn on the drain valve to complete the drainage
- Once the draining is done, complete the steps in reverse order and switch on the power supply to get your water heater working again.
In case, your water heater tank is somewhere in the basement or lower height area, the gravity will not let it drain properly, so you can install a separate electric pump to drain the water.
Replace Your Anode Rod
Another important step for a water heater’s maintenance is to change your anode rod. However, the good thing is that your anode rod requires replacement only once every five to ten years.
The anode rod is made out of calcium or magnesium and is kept inside the tank to prevent the erosion of the steel walls by the hot water.
Remember to keep an eye on this rod every year you do the drainage step to assess its condition. These rods can easily last for 10 years or more, and frequent maintenance and drainage can prolong their life even further.
When its time to change your anode rod, visit the nearest plumbing store and purchase a new one, then follow these steps:
- Switch of the inlet cold water valve that is present at the bottom of the water heater tank
- Unhinge the screw at the top side of the tank where the anode rod is installed
- Now attach the new rod in the same place, and suspend it inside the water heater tank, then tighten back the screw.
- You can now switch on the inlet cold water valve.
Change the Electric Heating Core
- Switch off the power supply to your water heater tank.
- Verify that the power supply is off to the water heater.
- Switch off the inlet water valve
- Turn on the pressure relief valve to get rid of any vacuum
- Attach the garden hose with the drainage valve
- Now detach the cover at the bottom of the tank to access the heating core.
- Detach the wires connected to the heating core.
- Pull out the heating core by unscrewing it from the bottom.
Get a new heating element and install it.
