Repairing A Leaking Water Heater From Top

By Brian Winters


Letting your water heater leak for a long time can cause you to buy a replacement unit anytime soon. When this happens, you might be surprised how water heaters of today don't come cheap. Believe it or not, leaks can be prevented only if they are addressed on time. If not, you may have to spend a lot of money on large-scale repairs in the long run.

To avoid fatal accidents, shut down the heating source of your water heater before repairing or inspecting it. Doing this protects you and your family from the dangers of your water heater. When dealing with leaks, mop puddles of water near the unit to avoid mishaps. Inform everyone in your household not to use the heater during the repair process.

Look for the hot and cold water inlet and relief valve located at the top of the heater. These three important connections can leak if not inspected regularly. Try to lift the lever of the relief valve to observe the water flow. Water should stop draining as soon as you allow the handle to snap back on its own. If not, have it replaced right away.

Having a leaking relief valve wastes electricity and water in the long run. This safety valve should be working at all times since it is responsible for protecting the tank from overheating or blowing up as it releases excessive pressure inside. Minimize the valve from opening frequently by lowering the temperature between 120 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Use a wrench and tighten the connections to stop water from leaking. Avoid contaminating your water by replacing badly damaged pipes as soon as possible. Look for rust stains around the plumbing connections to find the source of leaks.

You can close the water supply valve if you want to stop water from leaking temporarily. When this happens, pressure inside the tank eventually falls, stopping water leaks in the long run. You may have to drain the tank if the problem continues and starts to flood your basement.

You may have to buy a replacement unit once your internal lining has corroded. This happens when the sediments inside the tank are not drained regularly. Extend the life of your water heater and sustain its heating efficiency by draining and flushing it on a semi-annual basis. Doing this is definitely worth of your time as you won't have to buy a replacement sooner than expected.

Do not hesitate to call a specialist as soon as the problem arises. Attempting to repair your heater without professional help can worsen the situation without you knowing it.




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment

 

Holidays Copyright © 2011-2012 | Powered by Blogger