Thursday, 15 August 2013

Guide To Water Heater Leaking

By Brian Winters


Water heater leaks should not be taken lightly. Letting it leak for a long time can affect other areas of your unit, causing further damage in the long run. It is very easy to ignore your unit since it is frequently placed in the basement or room that you rarely enter in. Seeing water puddles near the base of your tank can stain your walls and floors, resulting to mold and mildew development. It is important to detect signs of the leak in the early stage if you don't want to spend more money on mold remediation services. However, you can always call a water heater specialist to avoid costly repairs in the future.

Watch out for water puddles if you are using an electric water heater. Always take safety into account whenever it's time for a heater inspection. You can avoid fatal accidents from happening by shutting down your heating source beforehand. To avoid flooding, turn off your water supply before carrying out the repairs. Mopping your floor for hours is never a good idea to begin with.

You can turn off your water heater the night before you drain it to avoid scalding. Draining your tank is important in order to check its internal components thoroughly. If it's too much of an inconvenience, you can shut your unit off at least thirty minutes before working with your unit. Use a hose and attach it to the drain valve to start releasing water out of your tank. Make sure the other end leads to a floor drain, gutter or a large tub.

Water can leak easily every time your T&P valve releases pressure inside your tank. You can stop this from happening by lowering the water temperature immediately. Do not skip this step as too much pressure can cause your tank to overheat or explode.

You can test the relief valve by lifting its lever and letting the water drain from the overflow pipe. Water should stop flowing as soon as you allow it to snap back on its own. If you think you have a faulty valve, replace it immediately. Make sure to leave enough pipes if your T&P valve is soldered on. Plugging it in would only convert your heater into a dangerous appliance, nullifying all its warranties at the same time.

Having loose pipe fittings can cause water to leak instantly. You can recognize leakages if you see rust stains all over your pipes. You can simply adjust and tighten it with a wrench or replace them once badly damaged. Do not over tighten the pipes to avoid further damage. Wrap a Teflon tape around the threading to stop water from leaking.

If leaks are not addressed on time, rust and corrosion may develop inside your unit. These can eat your internal tank, causing holes to start appearing. When this happens, you are left with no choice but to replace your entire heating system. Patching the holes won't be of help since it will only minimize the heating efficiency of your heater. It's better to have it replaced since a new unit can help you cut back on your electric bill.

It is wise not to buy a water heater haphazardly without properly inspecting your unit. There are times when water heater issues can be fixed by performing simple repairs. Avoid replacing your heating system unexpectedly by recognizing the signs of damage as soon as possible. You can always consult a specialist whenever it's time for you to select a new unit. Ask for advice and guidelines on what kind of water heater will suit your hot-water needs.




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