Why You Should Have Your Hot Water Heater Inspected
A hot water heater is one of those household appliances you don’t give much thought to, but when it breaks or stops working, life can get complicated. Tri-Florida Water Treatment of Auburndale, FL, recommends having your water heater inspected once a year to spot early signs of trouble so you can get them fixed.
Hot water heater inspection tasks
What happens during a water heater inspection? Here are some common tasks.
Fuel line inspection
The fuel lines of gas hot water heaters should be inspected for breaks and loose connections. If there are compromises, you could experience a leakage of carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases. Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, but it’s known to be potentially fatal to people and pets.
Plumbing joints
Your inspector will look for damage and corrosion on and around all plumbing connections.
Tank pressure
A thorough water heater inspection checks the pressure relief valve, which siphons off excess pressure to keep the tank from rupturing or exploding.
Water supply and temperature check
It’s important to ensure that water flows freely into and out of the hot water heater. An inspection will detect problems with the flow and test the water temperature. If the temperature is off, we recommend setting it to 120 degrees.
Correct installation
Hot water heaters must be placed and secured correctly to prevent potentially serious problems. The manufacturer of your heater will have specified the amount of clearance required between the appliance and nearby materials of the home.
Flushing the tank
It’s a smart idea to have your water heater tank flushed once a year at the time of the inspection. This will remove minerals and sediments from inside the tank and help to prevent overheating, while ensuring a smooth water flow.
Hot water heater venting system
Whether your heater has its own dedicated vent system or vents through a chimney flue, this part of the system needs to be inspected and periodically cleaned.
Your inspector will look at the venting material to see if there are cracks, breaks or other signs of damage. He or she will also inspect the inside of the vent, where particulate matter may have built up. Obstructions in a hot water heater’s venting apparatus can lead to backups of carbon monoxide and other combustion gases. They can also cause the heater to work extra hard and wear out before its time. Annual heater vent cleaning is recommended.
Evaluating the capacity of the water heater
This should have been done when the heater was installed, but maybe your household hot water needs have changed. You want to make sure the capacity of the heater is suitable to deliver the amount of hot water you need and use. If you’re always running out of hot water, your water heater could be damaged, but the likely cause is that it’s simply too small.
Your Florida water specialists
Tri-Florida Water Treatment believes that every family should have safe, clean running water – both hot and cold – to make their lives more convenient and enjoyable. Keeping your hot water heater inspected and running right is one part of that.
Another part is water treatment systems to purify and filter all your household water. For more than 30 years, we’ve been helping homeowners in and around Auburndale, Florida, treat their water for drinking, bathing, and cooking. Learn more about whole-house water treatment systems and water softeners by calling (863) 965-1439. You can also get in touch with our handy contact form.