Water Heater Repair Tips

The water heater  is one of the most important devices in every household nowadays as it helps the homeowner in various ways. It not only provides us with a hot shower on cold winter mornings, but also helps us with various household chores, which is totally impossible in winter. 

In this post, we will discuss some of the best tips to keep your water heater working for a long time and avoiding breakdowns. Let us begin:

Best water heater repair tips you must know

Check the temperature of TPR

If by chance the water heater pressure gets too high, it can lead to an explosion. This is why every water heater comes with a safety valve so that when the water heater temperature becomes high the TPR will open automatically for safety.  That’s why it becomes essential to test or check the TPR valve from time to time or every year. 

How to check the TPR valve?

  • First of all, turn off the electricity power to the water heater along with cold water supply
  • After that place a bucket underneath pipe that is connected to the TPR
  • Next, left the tab on the TPR valve so that some water can get out, and then let it go
  • If no water comes out when you lift the tab or water keeps coming out, it is wise to replace the valve as soon as possible.

Check switches and electrical connections connecting water heater

Another water heater repair tip which will help you to keep you, your family members, and home safe. To ensure that your water heater is connected to the MCB, a Miniature Circuit Breaker quickly cuts the electricity in case of power fluctuations. If you do so it will minimize the chances of a short circuit.

Moreover, keep all the switches at a sufficient height so that small kids cannot reach there. 

Tighten all joints and valves

This is another water heater repair tip which will surely help in maintaining your water heater for an extended period of time.. That means, due to loose valves and joints, water heaters suffer from leakage and lead to corrosion.

In other words, when water sits in the water heater for a long time, it attracts rust easily. This rust can cause water heater components to break, which needs replacement or repair. So, check the joints and valves from time to time and ensure they are snug and don’t move.

Moreover, if you find any of the water heater components loose, tighten them up with the help of a wrench. 

Regularly inspect the water heater

Whether you are using a tankless water heater or a tank water heater, most people don’t care about it. Sometimes, we cannot inspect our water heater just because they are installed in areas where family members often go.

However, if you want your water heater to run for a long time ensure to inspect it regularly. That means even a simple visual inspection can make a big difference. 

In other words, if you are not hearing any strange noise or noticing any suspicious smell, then it is working fine. Well, if the case is quite the opposite you need a professional.

Insulate the tank

If you insulate the tank, it will offer many benefits to the water heater. Tank insulation  not only reduces  energy bills, but extends the overall life of the water heater.

This process takes less energy which results in lower energy bills. On top of that, this step will reduce the overall strain of the water heater because of which it will run for an extended period of time.

Check the anode rod before winter

If you’re talking about a big water heater, they have an anti-corrosion rod inside the tank. This rod plays an essential role as it attracts rust and various other impurities present in water, thereby preventing the water heater tank from rust. But with time, this anode rod corrodes, which needs replacement.

According to experts, if you want your water heater to run efficiently without any issue, ensure to check the anode rod time and again. But here the thing is, what to check in the anode rod? It is true that the common man doesn’t know about anode rod, and also they are not aware when to replace the rod. 

So, check if the outer layer of the rod, which is covered with magnesium, has corroded or not for around 6 inches or more so that you can easily see the inner steel core. 

Insulate the pipes

In the above point, we have discussed how you must insulate the water heater tank for its extended life. But if you insulate the pipes connecting the water heater, it will be beneficial too. This step is essential during the winter season as pipes easily reach dangerously cold temperatures. 

Moreover, it will also prevent water from freezing in the pipes, which also results in bursting pipes after some time and causing water damage. Regarding this, you can talk to your professional water heater repair Orange County as they suggest the best advice. 

Replace both outlet and inlet pipes with metal pipes

If you want your water heater doesn’t cause leakage issues, then it is better to go for metal inlet and outlet pipes as they are more resistant to heat as compared to standard plastic ones. However, also ensure that you check the joints regularly, and if you are noticing whitish deposits around the pipes, then it is best to replace the inlet and outlet pipes. 

Go for annual maintenance.

If you want to avoid any significant issues with your water heater, ensure to go for regular maintenance check-ups. However, if any of the problems gets detected at an early stage, make sure to get them rectified as soon as possible for the best results.

Old is not always gold.

There is a well-known proverb old is gold, but this proverb proves wrong in relation to water heaters. That means that if your water heater is more than ten years old, you must replace it with a new one. The reason is ten years old unit cannot compete with today’s technology and will not run efficiently. Apart from that, your energy bill will be below if you replace your water heater.

The bottom line

The water heater is one of the significant parts of your life that offers you comfort in many ways. So, before you face any of the issues with your water heater, ensure to apply these above repair tips, which will help you make it run efficiently for a longer period of time. However, if you find any significant issue, get water heater repair in Orange County but don’t ignore the problem. 

Author Bio:-  Michael Cabral 

Michael is a marketing manager at EZ Heat and Air. He loves writing about innovative and hybrid HVAC installation tips. His articles help readers to have valuable insights into the importance of duct cleaning, water heater maintenance, and repair, optimum working of the thermostat, Mini-split and heat pump installation in Orange County. Read articles for more information on keeping your HVAC system in tip-top condition and leading a hassle-free life.