If you enjoy a hot shower in the morning, do laundry in the afternoon or run the dishwasher overnight, you depend on hot water to get these tasks done. Water heater maintenance helps to ensure that your water heater produces the hot water needed to get everything done. Understanding how to complete this maintenance for the water heater in your Raleigh home will minimize potential problems that could require costly repairs and a loss of hot water.
Tips For Water Heater Maintenance
Here are some tips that you should keep in mind during water heater maintenance:
- Start by determining if your water heater is gas or electric. The easiest way to determine this is by reading all of the warning signs that are on the unit. If you notice that these warnings mention risks related to either electric or gas, you will know which type of water heater you have. If there is a pilot light, you can automatically conclude that it is a gas water heater. Venting pipes at the top of the heater are another tip-off that it’s gas.
- Make sure that the water shutoff valve on top of the water heater has been turned to the off position.
- Depending on the type of maintenance you’re doing, dial the temperature down before you perform any maintenance, or turn off the water heater altogether. You don’t want to get scalded or burned during the process.
- Test the temperature and pressure relief valve before continuing. A mini flush of the system will keep it cleaned out.
Professional Water Heater Maintenance
There are some water heater maintenance issues that you can handle on your own, but more serious problems will require the help of a professional. Contacting a technician as soon as you suspect that maintenance is needed helps to prevent damage and the need for costly repairs.
Air Experts provides high-quality HVAC services to Raleigh and Research Triangle area residents. Please contact us at Air Experts today to discuss water heater maintenance services or to schedule an appointment.
Image via Flickr by Mark Florence
