Every season brings along its peculiarities with it. And these peculiarities call for different needs. Like summers have a peculiarity of soaring temperature and thus we need ACs for cooler surroundings and turn down the refrigerator temperatures to fast cool the liquids.
The time of the year when we need a lot of warmth are winters. At the onset of winters we need to check all our winter equipment and one of the most necessary equipment for summers is- the water heater. We cool off in summers by taking a cool shower, but in winters...the same brisk water in our showers comes down to freezing degrees and a chill runs down even at the very thought of touching it. Before the winters set in fully, we need to make sure that our hot water systems are good to go. Here are a few maintenance tips for hot water systems in Perth:
Disclaimer :
Always wear protective clothing like rubber gloves and shoes as rubber is a poor conductor of electricity and hence insulates you from a likely electric shock although you would turn off the gas/electric supply before starting its recommended to do so.
1. Pressure Valve :
There is a T&P (temperature and pressure) valve on every water heater. This T&P valve helps the water heater from not becoming a bomb as it releases the extra pressure once the tank starts to over-pressure. If the water heater is wall mounted you might require a bucket to collect the pressurized hot water. Turn the lever on the T&P valve, you would hear a gush of water and see some water and steam exiting the pipe. If there is no gushing sound and you do not see any water and steam it means the T&P valve is not working and you need to replace it.
2. Drain the Tank :
The next step is to drain the tank in order to clear it from the sediments that may have gathered at the bottom of the tank. The sediments can clog the water lines.
- Connect a garden hose to the drain valve which is located at the bottom of the tank. Place the other end of the hose in an area secluded probably a drain or a sink as the drain water would be hot.
- With the T&P valve on, turn on the draining valve too.
- Allow the tank to drain completely.
- You can cover the draining end of the hose with a knee-high stocking which will collect the sediment and prevent the drainage line from clogging.
- Close the drain valve. Turn on the cold water inlet valve.
- Turn on the gas/electric supply.
Apart from the above, there could be other things to check too in your water heater. You can consult an expert plumber to know more about them.
Carrying out seasonal maintenance would increase the life of water heaters and also prevent from any accident happening.
This post first appeared on Water Heater Saving Tips - The Plumbing And Gas Guys, please read the originial post: here
