Should I Fix Or Replace My Water Heater?
If you are having problems with your water heater you may wonder what
steps should be taken next. If the water heater is no longer producing
hot water this can be a major pain. Before rushing off to the nearest
hardware store to find a new water heater, there are a few things that
can be done to pin point the problem. Troubleshooting water heaters on
your own can be a difficult task if you are unsure of what you are
doing. Take the time to research the problem before you start poking
around.
Safety is the first step in troubleshooting water
heaters. Secure the area of any electrical wiring that may be around the
water heater and turn off the power source. The fuse or circuit breaker
needs to be turned off before messing around with the water heater. The
gas pilot control valve needs to be turned to off. The water supply
needs to be turned off to the water heater and open the nearest hot
water faucet.
If the problem seems relatively harmless such as a
puddle or little or no hot water then you should be able to easily
pinpoint and fix the problem. If it seems like something more serious
such as a gas leak, close the gas shutoff valve, cut power and call a
plumber immediately. If you are unsure of anything, it is better to seek
professional advice rather than put yourself or home in danger.
Troubleshooting water heaters is a lot easier to do once you have an
understanding of how water heaters actually work. The Internet is very
helpful in providing this information by doing a search.
A bit of
safety advice to follow is not to work on an electric water heater if
there is water on the floor. Calling a skilled plumber is the best thing
to do. Flushing a water heater to maintain its performance should be
done about once a year. This routine maintenance will keep you from
troubleshooting water heaters through the course of its lifetime. Fewer
problems will occur if this type of maintenance is done. Flushing the
water heater is very easy to do and can be done with the items that you
already have in your house.
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