Things you should know about residential plumbing: water heater

Do not wait for the winter to set in and water to freeze whether it is the water heater or your basement that gets filled up. Scheduling all maintenance is less expensive than calling the plumber in case of an emergency.  This is the time to service the water heater as a well maintained heater will use lesser energy which saves you money by lowering your electric bill.

The water heater

More than thousand liters of water runs through the water heater. Most of the water contains high mineral and particle contents. Every time the water enters and leaves the water heater, some sediment settles on the inner wall of the tank or settles at the base. A water heater cleaning routine involves flushing out the deposits once a year. This small maintenance extends the life of the water heater, it works more efficiently and gives better quality of water.

Residential plumbing tips for water heater maintenance

1)      Shut off the power – at the breaker box, shut off the electricity that supplies power to the water heater. If you use a gas heated unit, turn off the gas. It is advisable to check the water heater manual before you attempt to handle the water heating gadget. If you can’t find the manual in the drawer, go online and check the same. The diagrammatic representation shows all the parts of the water heater, which reduces the confusion during maintenance.

2)      Turn off the water – turn off the water supply at the top of the tank. Empty the hot water from the water heater by letting it run in the sink in the bathroom or kitchen. Let all the hot water run out till the cold water runs through it. Running the water in the sink reduces accidental burns

3)      Drain base water – attach a hose to the drain valve that is at the base of the tank. Lead the hose to the sink or the drain hole, ensuring the hose outlet end is at a lower level than the water heater base

4)      Flushing the tank – after the water stops draining, open the cold water valve in spurts which will disengage the sediments on the inner body of the water heater. This is called as flushing the tank. Flushing removes the particles, sediments and rust that has accumulated which reduces the efficiency of the water heater. Once clear water starts flowing out, close the drain valve and remove the hose. 

Remember to:

·         Fill up the tank before turning on the electricity else the water heater will get damaged

·         Shut the hot water faucet that was turned on to drain the hot water either in your kitchen or bathroom sink

·         Restore the power or gas supply to the water heater

·         Follow the maintenance manual to check the progress

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