The season of autumn has arrived. Due to the shorter days and cooler mornings, more people are turning on their water heaters. Because you will be using your water heater more frequently, our team of expert plumbers has compiled a list of DIY Water Heater Maintenance Tips. It’s important to check the condition of your water heater before you get too wrapped up in planning your Halloween outfit and decorating the house.
Powering Down the Water Heater
A tankless water heater is unnecessary if one is already installed in the home.
However, if your water heater is a conventional tank kind, like most in the Western Hemisphere, you should flush it annually. Thankfully, we can accomplish this task more efficiently in the autumn. Let me elaborate in case you’re intrigued. The average amount of time a water heater is used increases as the weather becomes colder in the fall. People tend to take longer, hotter showers throughout the cooler months of the year. You can clean out your water heater by using the following methods:
- The plug to the water heater must be removed immediately.
- Please be patient while we wait for the water in the tank to cool.
- The tank has a drain valve on the side that may be reached with a hose.
- The hose’s open end can be placed in a large container like a tub or bucket.
- Start by opening a few of the hot water taps in your house.
- After attaching the hose in step 4, you can empty the tank by opening the release valve nearby.
When the water in the tank has drained, turn off the taps, close the release valve, and turn on the water heater by opening the cold water valve.
Temper the Fire
Please bear with us if at first you find this absurd; we understand. In the fall, you may want to turn down the temperature on your water heater by around 10 degrees. During the cooler months of the year, when more people are using their hot water heaters, you can save a significant amount of electricity by lowering the temperature.
Water temperature differences of 10 degrees are imperceptible to the human body. Changing your water heater doesn’t require much thought beyond making sure the temperature is always above 120 degrees and below 140 degrees. You risk getting a sunburn or water poisoning if you don’t.
Check the TPR Valve (Test and Pressure Relief Valve)
The purpose of the Test and Pressure Relief Valve (TPR Valve) is to relieve pressure in the water heater in the case of an explosion. It’s well known that water heaters pose a risk of explosion. Find the TPR valve, which is usually situated near the tank’s base, and activate it. It is important to be able to hear and see the water moving through the discharge line. If you don’t hear or feel water running through the discharge line, switch off the power to the water heater and give us a call right away.
In Search of Expert Guidance? Get in Touch!
Something will go wrong even if you have been diligent about performing your own Fall water heater maintenance. If you are having trouble taking care of yourself or if your water heater is malfunctioning, don’t wait to call West New York Plumbing. We offer repairs and replacements for broken water heaters.
