One of the most important appliances in your house to maintain is the water heater. It's responsible for bringing hot water throughout the house, important for a lot of your daily activities. In order to keep it working like it should, you'll need to keep up with maintenance.
1. Know How to Turn Off the Water Heater
Unfortunately, no matter what maintenance steps you employ, emergencies do sometimes happen. You'll want to know how to turn off your water heater in advance to these emergencies, not only to protect your property, but to stay safe. You may smell gas, for example, coming from your system and you need to act fast.
First, you'll want to locate your water heater. In most homes, you can find it in the garage enclosed in a separate room. Once you find it, locate the shut-off valves. Typically, they will be above the water heater. Turn off this valve, along with the water valve, if you believe there is something seriously wrong with your water heater system.
2. Flush the System
Over the months, sediment can accumulate in your water heater that could prematurely wear down parts. That's why you need to have your system flushed, at least once a year, to ensure these sediments don't cause any unnecessary damage.
There are two ways you can go about this. Either you can use a bucket to remove several gallons of water, or you can attach a garden hose to the drain valve. Just make sure that if you use the hose, you point the hot water in a place that won't cause harm or damage to your property.
If you notice that a lot of sediment is coming out, consider flushing your system entirely.
3. Have Professionals Conduct an Annual Inspection
At least once a year, it's a good idea to have your water heater inspected by a professional who deals with water heater maintenance and repairs. They'll make sure parts are in good condition and are working as efficiently as possible.
They can also check for leaks and corrosion that might have built up around pipes and valves. If any repairs are necessary, they'll give you a quote and make sure you're comfortable with whatever repair option they recommend.
If you own a home, you never want to be without warm and hot water. This won't be a reoccurring problem if you properly maintain the water heater and have it looked at by qualified professionals. To learn more, contact a company like Johnson Plumbing.
Share22 December 2017
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