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Your water heater is most likely the most crucial aspect of your homes plumbing system. A effectively maintained heater can last from ten to fifteen years or much more. But, a heater not adequately maintained can fail in four to six years. The condition of the drinking water in your location and the location of the heater in your home are out of your manage, but appropriate upkeep of the heater and your plumbing method is important to heater longevity and security.

This post offers you a list of products to check for both tank type and tankless water heaters. As you go by way of the actions in checking your heater, if you have the slightest doubt in your capacity, get a specialist, licensed plumber involved! You are dealing with hot water, natural gas, and electricity!

Tank Form Water Heater Upkeep:

Vent (Gas Water Heaters Only)

The vent ought to be the exact same diameter as the draft diverter on the heater tank.
The vent really should go commonly “up and out” the ceiling.
Exactly where is passes by way of the exterior wall, the vent must be double-walled.
Vent sections need to be screwed together with a minimum 3 screws per section.
Note: Bad vent pipe connections can fall apart and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, the silent and deadly gas!

Temperature & Pressure Relief Valve (T&P Valve)The T&P valve is made to avert the heater from exploding if the water pressure or temperature exceeds secure limits.

Pull up the handle on the valve and water must flow out and cease when you let go of the manage.
The T&P valve has a drain line that must go down to about 6″ from the floor or be plumbed outdoors your property.
Note: Water leaking out of a T&P drain line can signal a poor T&P valve, high water stress, or a malfunctioning thermal expansion device.

Water Pressure (All Water Heaters)

Water pressure more than 80 pounds per square inch (psi) can damage heaters and your piping. It can also harm plumbing appliances, toilets, and your fixtures.
Note: One particular giveaway that your have high water stress is when the T&P Valve on the heater begins opening and closing.

Outer Water Heater Metal Shell & Plumbing Fittings

Inspect the heater outer sheet metal shell for leaks or rusting.
Inspect the plumbing fittings on the heater for corrosion, rust, or water spotting.
Note: Rusty fittings or discolored shell is a telltale sign that a leak is present!

Temperature Handle

Inspect the heater temperature control dial to insure its set at the right water temperature.
The excellent water temperature is 120° Fahrenheit.
Note: Something above 120° Fahrenheit greatly increases scalding risk, energy use, and sediment build-up in the bottom of the heater!

Combustion Chamber (Gas Water Heaters)

Turn the gas valve manage to “pilot position”.
Eliminate tankless water heater Riverside CA or cover on the side of the heater.
Inspect the roof of the chamber for heavy rusting, water marking, or pitting.
Return the gas valve handle back to the “on position”.
Note: Black soot in the combustion chamber implies drafting challenges, combustion issues, fume issues, and a fire hazard!

Pedestal Base (Gas Water Heaters)

Make sure the pedestal base the heater rests on is steady and supports the unit.
The standard pedestal will preserve the bottom of the heater at least 18″ off the floor.
Note: A newer water heater may have a “filtered combustion chamber” that is supposed to resolve the will need for a pedestal. Check the owner’s manual for your heater.

Drain Valve

Open the drain valve to insure that mineral sediment, anode sludge, or rust has not clogged your heaters drain.
Drain Overflow Pan

If your heater is on the 2nd floor above living space it really should have a drain pan.
The drain pan ought to be plumbed to the outdoors of your property.
Inspect the condition of the drain pan, fittings, and piping to the outside.
Corrosive Fumes (Gas Water Heaters & Tankless Water Heaters)


Water heaters draw air in for combustion and the high-quality of the air is vital.
Corrosive liquids, ammonia, or acids stored close to a heater can lead to corrosive air.
Note: Corrosive air drawn into the burner can prematurely corrode the heater.

Internal Tank Corrosion and Rust-The internal tank of your heater is constructed of steel and glass lined to stop rust. Sacrificial anode rods are installed in the tank to safeguard the glass lined internal steel tank from rust. Aluminum/Zinc or magnesium anode rods corrode over time and get utilized up via an electrolytic approach.

Note: Replacing the anode rod can extend the life of the heater but, need to be performed by a educated, professional service technician.

Sediment Develop-up-Sediment is designed when difficult water is heated. The develop-up of sediment in the bottom of the tank can result in the bottom to overheat and melt away the glass lining of the tank. It can drift into recirculating lines, jam open verify valves, and bring about the recirculating pump to stick until it burns out. Sediment make-up on the bottom of gas water heaters encourages noisy operation. The noise is triggered by small amounts of water beneath the sediment layer turning into steam bubbles, which then collapse violently.

Note: Sediment develop-up can minimize the power efficiency of the heater and void the warranty on some Residential Water Heaters!

Tankless Water Heater Upkeep:

Flushing-Most tankless water heater companies recommend flushing the entire unit each and every 6 months to 1 year depending upon the water high-quality. Reference your manufactures recommendation for flushing. Flushing the unit regularly removes any mineral deposits (typically calcium or lime) that could have constructed up inside the boilers. Makers advise applying a utility pump to circulate three or 4 gallons of vinegar or yet another low-grade acid for 45 minutes to clean out any deposits.