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Any appliances need TLC to ensure their longevity. Your water heater, for instance, needs to be checked regularly, especially if it has been serving you for years. Having access to hot water 24/7 is important. Once your water heater breaks down, it can bring a lot of inconveniences.
As maintenance is vital in keeping your unit in good condition, it is necessary that you schedule an appointment with a water heater repair technician who will perform a thorough inspection. During the inspection, there are several aspects of your unit that will be checked. If you own a water heater for years, here are the good reasons you should consider regular maintenance:
Water heater and regular maintenance
A water heater will work efficiently if you take good care of its vital components. As the years go by, your water heater is subjected to all sorts of pressure. This is why some units that have already reached a maximum of 8 years are starting to fail. Without maintenance, your water heater may still work but it needs to work harder. When your unit works harder than normal, your energy bill will suffer.
On a daily basis, there are numerous appliances that badly need your attention. Your water heater, being the essential equipment should receive regular care if you want to ensure maximum efficiency. When your water heater is performing its task, you can be sure that its lifespan will also increase.
An efficient water heater also gives you an assurance of low utility bills because issues that cause your unit to become inefficient are properly addressed during maintenance. An appliance that is operating optimally will help you relax your mind as you have nothing to worry about. Water heater maintenance should be performed regularly so you will know whether or not your unit needs replacement. Some problems may not be visible. You will only notice that your unit stops working if your water heater is having a hard time producing water.
1. Inspect the pressure relief valve
If you are not sure how to check your water heater’s relief valve, you can start by calling a qualified repair technician to perform the job. A pressure relief valve is your unit’s safety device. Its main purpose is to control the pressure that occurs in most appliances.
When cold water is transformed into hot water, it causes the tank to expand. The pressure relief valve has to work properly as it is critical to ensuring the safety of your home. If this small device is faulty, it can cause extreme damage to your home. Relief valves are usually located at the top of your water heater or near the top. It looks like a switch or lever.
When inspecting this component, you need to lift the valve. Once the water starts to emerge, do not be alarmed because this is a good sign that your unit is still working properly. You also need to check your discharge pipe which is connected to your relief valve. If this critical component fails to flow to a drain pipe, place a container or bucket to perform further testing.
If your valve is in working order, it should be able to function automatically once pressure rises. Once this component fails to release water, you will need to call a plumber to replace the component. A plumber can also uncover issues that caused your relief valve to stop working.
2. Check the water heater thermostat if it is set to the correct temperature
The thermostat controls the temperature of your water from your heater. This is another essential component of your water heater that you cannot afford to ignore. The thermostat from the time of installation never changes. However, if you have guests or children at home, there is a great possibility that the temperature setting may have been changed.
Since your thermostat also correlates with your pressure relief’s function, there is a possibility that the water being produced will not reach the desired temperature because of this alteration. The temperature needs to be set based on the recommendation of your water heater manufacturer. The required setting is typically 120 degrees. When there is a sudden increase or decrease in water temperature, there can be a larger issue that a professional should address.
Keeping the function of your water heater in check ensures that you will continue to gain complete access to hot water all year round. Call water heater repair Plano company for regular maintenance.
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