Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Time For A Hot Water Heater Replacement

By Brian Winters


Have you ever imagined not having a water heater during winter seasons? Not a lot of homeowners appreciate how heaters are important in doing household tasks. Your water heater generates enough hot water for taking showers, cleaning dishes and doing the laundry. Your unit can come in handy, especially when the climate is cold. Start performing water heater maintenance to extend the lifespan of your unit. However, you might want to buy a new heater if your old unit has been failing you for the last few years.

To avoid accidents, always make sure the heating source is turned off before carrying out repairs. If you have an electric-powered unit, shut down the circuit breaker. For gas water heaters, simply turn off the gas supply valve. Do not let water enter the tank during the repair process by turning off the water supply. These steps should protect you from encountering accidents, especially since a water heater can convert into a dangerous device. It helps turning off the unit the night before inspecting it to avoid scalding water.

If your water heater stops producing hot water, have it checked immediately to know what necessary actions are needed. Sometimes, this happens when you have a rusty dip tube. Maintain this tube from time to time since this is responsible for leading the cold water down to the burner. Cold water can hit the hot water pipes directly without being heated if your dip tube gets rusty. Ask help from a specialist for proper dip tube installation.

If your hot water is producing less hot water than it used to, there might be a sediment buildup inside the tank. These hard water minerals can limit the volume of water that can be stored, leading to insufficient warm water running in your taps. You can drain and flush the tank to remove the sediments inside. If the problem persists, you might have to replace the unit immediately.

When the sediment buildup gets too excessive, expect your water quality to be affected. You may notice rusty-colored water coming out of your taps together with a foul odor. Drain the contaminated water to protect your family from ingesting water filled with bacteria and chemicals. Failure to do so can cause major health complications.

Believe it or not, the sediment buildup can be minimized by maintaining the anode rod regularly. This sacrificial rod absorbs all charged water molecules like a magnet, protecting your tank from rust and corrosion. Call a specialist if you think it measures less than of an inch. Failure to do so can cause holes to appear at the bottom of the tank. At this point, you have no other option but to buy a new water heater.

If you've always wanted to cut back on your electric bill, consider buying a more energy-efficient water heater. Homeowners are now buying tankless water heaters since they help save space, time and energy all at the same time. You don't have to worry about having water puddles in your basement. These kinds of units don't need to insulate water since they heat water only when necessary. They may be expensive than traditional tank-style units, but expect them to last longer than the rest.

To avoid countless water heater repairs, contact a specialist for proper water heater installation. However, do not buy a unit haphazardly and have your old unit checked if the damage is already beyond repairs. Ask advice from a professional to know what kind of unit will suit your household needs.




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