If you are one of the many people who needs to maintain your water heater, you may have some enlightening questions to ask yourself, such as “how to maintain a water heater?” If so, you aren’t alone! There are many parts to a water heater that requires maintenance, so if you are not sure how to keep your water heater running and what steps to take, this article can help.

What is a Water Heater?

A water heater is a device that provides hot water on demand. It is used in homes and businesses to heat water for cooking, bathing, and other needs. Heaters come in different sizes and shapes and can be used with gas, electricity, or oil. Water heaters are usually located in the basement or attic of a home. 

Depending on your home’s energy source, you may need to purchase a specific type of water heater. There are two types of water heaters: electric and gas. Electric water heaters use electricity to heat the water, and gas water heaters use natural gas or propane to heat the water.

Tips and Tricks on How to Maintain a Water Heater

You can do a few things to keep your water heater running smoothly and efficiently. Here are a few tips: 

Test the temperature-pressure-release valve

1.Shut off the power.

2. Turn off the cold-water supply valve.

3. Put a bucket under the pipe connected to the TPR valve, which is usually located on the side or top of the tank. This valve releases pressure if the tank gets too hot.

4. Let the water out of the tank using the tab located on the valve. If water continues to flow after you release the tab, drain the tank partially and install a new valve.

Check the anode rod

1.Attach a hose to the tank’s drain valve and release a few gallons of water into a bucket or down a drain.

2. Unscrew the rod. If the rod is less than ½ inch, wrap the threads with Teflon tape, place the bottom of the rod in the water tank, and tighten securely. If headroom is limited, use a segmented rod.

Drain the tank and wash out sediment

1.Drain the remaining water left in the tank, then briefly rinse your tank by opening the cold-water supply valve and letting pipes drain. Keep repeating until you get clean water from the hose.

2. Close the drain valve, refill the tank, and restore power to the unit. 

Adjust the temperature

1. Use the temperature dial to lower your energy bills and unscrew the cover. Set the dial at 120 degrees. Every 10 degrees you lower the temperature can save you 5% in energy costs.

2. If you’re going to be gone more than three days, turn off the water heater or set the thermostat as low as it goes.

Insulate the pipes

1. Buy some self-sticking 3/8-inch-thick foam pipe insulation that matches the pipes’ diameter.

2. Apply the insulation over the cold-water pipe. This will prevent condensation during summer.

3. Tape the insulation in place using the attached adhesive, working your way down the pipe. If the pipe is close to the flue, wrap it with a layer of fiberglass pipe-wrap.

Insulate the heater

1. Cut the insulating blanket to fit around the pipes, temperature control, and TPR valve.

2. Foil tape should cover cuts in the insulation on a tank to prevent leaks, but not the top of oil and gas heaters.

3. Place an oversize circle of insulation on the top of an electric heater, and secure it tightly to the side of the tank.

Need Help Maintaining Your Home’s Water Heater? Contact us Today!

If you have more questions on how to maintain a water heater, don’t hesitate to call Custom Plumbing of Arizona. Our experienced professionals are here to help, and we will get your system up and running as quickly as possible. 

We also offer 24/7 emergency service which means you can be sure we’ll be able to take care of it. So give us a call today at 602-883-2761 to schedule a repair or checkup!

Posted on Categories Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZ, Commercial Plumbing Service, Residential Plumbing Services, Water Heater, Water TreatmentTags , Leave a comment on How to Maintain a Water Heater?

Why is a leaning water heater a safety problem? Think about it for a second: you have a large standing tank with water heating up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Imagine that your leaning water heater becomes tilted, slowly moving toward the floor, so most of the water is at the bottom. Would your heating system still function as intended? Let’s find out more!

Why Is A Leaning Water Heater A Safety Problem?

Lately, there have been a lot of reports of leaning water heaters being a safety hazard. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “Leaning water heaters are the leading cause of residential fires and injuries in the United States.” In fact, NFPA estimates that these types of accidents cause over $100 million in property damage each year. 

When a water heater begins to lean out of the plumbing, it will tug on the pipes attached to it at the top, along with the flue connector for gas or electric water heaters. A whole 40-gallon water heater is 500 pounds at its heaviest, making any lateral pressure placed on those connections hazardous. The pipes will eventually fracture from the pressure and cause a flood. 

If you’re planning to buy or install a leaning water heater, take into account the risks involved and follow all the safety guidelines your manufacturer provides.

 

Causes of Tilted Tanks

If you’re noticing that your water heater is leaning, there are two leading causes. 

The first is that the platform had water damage and is no longer as strong as it was. This can happen if you have an older water heater that’s been through a lot of use or if you replaced your old water heater with a bigger one. 

The second cause is when a larger water heater is put on a platform built for a smaller one. This can cause the platform to become weak and unstable. If this happens, your water heater may start to lean.

Potential Dangers of LWH

Knowing the potential dangers of a leaning water heater is essential to avoiding accidents. A tilted tank can lead to a lot of dangerous consequences, including:

Flooding from burst pipes

Gas leaks, which can be deadly

Fire if leaking gas ignites

Slip and fall injuries if the tank leaks slowly

 

How to Avoid a Tilted Water Tank

  • Make sure your water heater is level before you install it

If it’s not level, the tank may tilt in the direction of the imbalance.

  • Don’t overload your water heater

Overloading can cause the tank to tilt in the opposite direction and increase the risk of pipe erosion and flooding.

  • Get a professional to install it

Professional plumbers are trained to follow safety guidelines that will keep you and your home safe.

Ready To Work With An Experienced Team? Call Custom Plumbing Of Arizona Today!

Why is a leaning water heater a safety problem? If you have a water heater with a tilted tank, it’s important to know that there is a potential danger. Contact Custom Plumbing of Arizona at  602-883-2761 if you need help installing your tilting water heater correctly.

Posted on Categories Plumbing Service & Repair Phoenix AZ, Commercial Plumbing Service, Water Heater, Water TreatmentTags , Leave a comment on Leaning Water Heater: Is a Tilted Tank Dangerous?

As a homeowner, it’s frustrating when you get ready to take a shower and there’s no hot water. When this occurs, it’s time to have your water heater checked by a plumber. Other signs that your water heater isn’t working include your hot water taking longer than normal to be produced, as well as hot water not being produced for as long as it usually does.

water heater ccp

When a water heater is newer than 10 years of age, the problem can be fixed by repairs. Newer water heaters that breakdown deal with leaking or a malfunctioning part. Our plumbers at Custom Cooling and Plumbing Services in Phoenix are experienced with handling water heater leaks and repairs. Both hot water heater leaks and repairs can be taken care of within the same day that you contact us that you’ll have hot water as soon as possible.

Water heaters older than 15 years of age that breakdown are often considered lost causes to repair. It’s recommended that you replace your old water heater with a new one. Of course, the best plumbing company to do the installation is Custom Cooling and Plumbing Services.

We do the installation of water heaters such as:

  • Gas powered tank water heaters
  • Electrically powered tank water heaters
  • Tankless, or instant, water heaters

Like repairs, the installation of the water heaters can be done the same day that you contact us. Whether it’s a gas or electric powered water heater, tank water heaters are the most commonly used water heaters and they come in several sizes for your hot water needs. Besides tank water heaters, there is the option to install a tankless water heater. Tankless water heater installation is great for those that want to save on their energy and water bill. The tankless water heater heats water instantly, which leads to less energy being used if you don’t take hour long showers.

Posted on Categories Water Heater, Water Treatment