Friday 25 February 2011

Alter Water Heater Parts

By Max Schilling


Hot water is a necessity for every home. Showering, washing laundry, and cleaning require it and a heater provides it. Like many other appliances, sometimes these heaters have problems. Many people just switch out the whole unit with a new one, but repairing the one you have can be easier on your budget. There are signs that indicate you should replace hot water heater parts.

Cold water that should be hot is one indication of a faulty tank. If you do not have any at all, there is a problem. Also, if you notice the hot supply runs out faster than it should, something needs to be replaced. Check the plumbing lines that run to and from the tank first to make sure there is not an issue with the supply to it. For this instance, a bad heating element is the most likely cause. The element heats inside the tank when it fills. If it is not working properly, then you will not have hot water.

Brown, dirty looking fluid is another sign. This color occurs when rust from inside the unit mixes. Using anything rusty is not safe and the rust means that the inside is deteriorating. Before you jump to conclusions, however, check to see if your local utility service has flushed any hydrants or lines because this can mimic a problematic tank. If there have been no flushes, you will need to replace the whole unit, not just a part.

Leaking is a common occurrence. There could be two things to blame. Either there is an accumulation of sediments or there is too much pressure. Sediment build ups are normal and can be avoided by draining the tank periodically. The pressure can be reduced by adding a regulator.

If the temperature does not seem right, test it with a thermometer. If there reading does not match the setting on your thermostat, it may need to be switched out for a new one. Before you do that, turn the setting higher and test again. If the reading still is not right, go ahead and switch them out.

Bad smells coming from your faucets and your tank could be caused by bacteria. Some people assume there is something wrong with the whole unit, but there is not usually anything wrong at all. Turn up your thermostat to at least one hundred thirty degrees and drain the tank. If you have kids and cannot do that, add peroxide to the tank to kill the bacteria. After two or three treatments, all residual bacteria should be dead and the smell will be gone.

Most faulty tanks can be working properly if you replace hot water heater parts that cause the problem. You do not necessarily need a new one, which can be expensive. Have a local plumber double check to make sure before you fix anything.




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