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How to Fix a Water Heater Drain Valve?

12/30/2016

Flushing out water from a water heater on a regular basis is an important part of basic water heater maintenance. Certain repairs that you might need to do on the water heater can only be done if you drain the tank. A water heater drain valve is responsible for draining the water heater. But unfortunately, it sometimes fails to do its job due to various reasons and one of the reasons could be improper maintenance. A drain valve can often stop releasing water properly or start leaking when not maintained. Take a look at the causes of drain valve leaks.

Causes of Leaky Water Heater Drain Valve:

Poor or damaged fitting and adhesives
Debris or mineral deposits under the drain valve washer
Pressure above 80psi in the tank
Cracked drain valve in case of plastic drain valves

If you observe leakages from the bottom of the water heater, it’s time you replace it. If your water heater drain valve is giving troubles, here is a step-by-step method of replacing it.

Fix Water Heater Drain Valve

Switch off the main power supply if you have an electric water heater, or turn off the gas supply if you have a gas water heater.
Shut-off the cold water supply to the heater.
Open the temperature-pressure relief valve to relieve the pressure inside the tank.
Allow the water inside the tank to cool down. Once done, open the water heater drain valve and drain out all the water. Do not close temperature-pressure relief valve even after the water has drained out.
Now, carefully remove the drain valve using a suitable wrench. Hold the valve tightly with the wrench and unscrew the drain valve by turning it in the anti-clockwise direction.
Clean the hole where the drain valve sits and make it dry.
Take a new water heater drain valve of the same dimensions. Wind enough Teflon tape on the threads of the valve.
Screw this new valve in place by turning it in the clockwise direction. Tighten the newly installed drain valve with the help of a wrench.
Close the temperature-pressure relief valve and start the cold water supply to the water heater.
Turn the gas or electricity on, and refill the water heater tank.
Now open one of the hot water faucets in your home and check if the new valve is working properly.

The water heater drain valves that come with the water heaters from the manufacturers are made of plastic and are not very durable. Following these same steps, you can replace the plastic valve with a brass drain valve that is easily available in the hardware stores. But, take up this replacing process only if you have enough experience and knowledge about the same. If you hardly know a thing about water heaters, take help from the professional water heater installers.

It is better to consult a professional rather than trying things on your own and making the situation worse. Hot Water Tanks Edmonton professionals will be there for any water heater related issues.

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How to Replace a Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve?

12/22/2016

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Steam, if allowed to build pressure, can become a powerful force. A lot of heat and pressure inside hot water tanks can cause the water heater to blast. These blasts are dangerous for the house as well as for the people living in it. A temperature-pressure relief valve is used on water heaters to relieve the pressure. In normal cases, the valve should maintain a pressure level of 150 psi and no water should be discharged from the valve. But, if it fails in either of these, the relief valve surely needs repairing.

Repairing the temperature-pressure relief valve generally means replacing it. Here is a step-by-step method of replacing the temperature-pressure relief valve of your water heater.

Start by switching off the main power supply if you have an electric water heater, or turn off the gas and set the lowest temperature setting on the measurement knob, if you have a gas water heater.
Turn off the water supply by shutting the shut-off valve off.
Open the valve at the bottom and drain out water to relieve the pressure inside the tank. Drain the tank until the water level is below the valve’s position. This way you will also flush the accumulated minerals and sediment from the water heater tank.
Unscrew and remove the overflow pipe that is attached to the temperature-pressure relief valve. If it’s been glued or soldered in place, you will have to cut it off.
With the help of a suitable wrench or an adjustable wrench, loosen the relief valve by turning it in the anti-clockwise direction. Remove the valve slowly.
Get a new temperature-pressure relief valve of the same size.
Wrap enough Teflon tape around the threads of the new valve.
Install this new valve in the same position by screwing it in the clockwise direction and tighten it with a wrench.
Reattach the overflow or drain pipe by wrapping Teflon tape on its threads. If you had cut off the pipe while removing the relief valve, install a new one.
Turn the cold water supply and gas or electricity on, and refill the water heater tank.
Leave any one faucet open until all the air is out of the line and water starts flowing out. Check for leaks around the newly installed temperature-pressure relief valve.
In case of any leakage, tighten the new valve using a wrench.

Though the entire process of replacing a temperature-pressure relief valve is an easy task, you might need help from a professional for various other tasks. Hot Water Tanks Edmonton provide professionals that are skilled in all the water heater related issues. So, it is better to consult a person with an in-depth knowledge and experience before experimenting anything on your water heater.

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How to Replace a Water Heater Expansion Tank?

12/15/2016

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Water increases the pressure inside a water heater tank if it does not get enough room to expand when heated. If this pressure gets too high, it can damage valves and joints of the plumbing system and even the water heater itself. Water heater expansion tanks are installed on the water supply pipe to deal with water thermal expansion and prevent the water from reaching extreme temperatures. Replacing an inefficient water heater expansion tank can be done easily only if you have thorough knowledge and experience, and the correct tools. Below is a step-by-step method of replacing water heater expansion tank.

Measure the dimensions and power of the water heater expansion tank and purchase a new one same as your existing one.
To start with the process first turn off the water supply by closing the shut-off valve.
Switch off the main power supply to the entire water heater setup.
Make sure that the water heater is cool and drain out the accumulated water from the tank. It is not necessary to completely drain the water heater, but just enough to eliminate the water pressure.
Using appropriate wrenches and pliers disconnect and remove the water heater expansion tank carefully. See to it that no pipes or other parts of the system are damaged while doing this.
Now, wrap a Teflon tape around the ends of the connectors tightly, leaving first 2-3 threads bare.
Carefully screw and install the new water heater expansion tank in the same position as the old one. Make sure all the new connections are tight and secured.
Attach a bicycle tire pump to the Schrader valve at the bottom of the tank. Check the pressure with a pressure gauge and fill the tank with recommended amount of air pressure (generally between 12-15 psi). Regulate the pressure level with the help of a pressure gauge.
Turn on all the water supply and power valves and switches.
Check for any leaks and tighten the connections if needed.
Open a faucet and let the water run through the pipes again.

You can carry out this replacement process on your own. But, a lack of experience can be dangerous for you and your water heater system. Hence, Hot Water Tanks Edmonton professionals always advise that you seek help from professional water heater installers. We have a group of skilled professionals who can deal with any water heater related issues and give you essential tips to maintain them.

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How a Storage Water Heater Works?

12/13/2016

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Planning to buy a new hot water tank? Or just curious to know how the storage water heater installed in your house works?

Standard storage water heaters or tank water heaters come in two variants, electric and gas. Both the types convert energy into heat and transfer that heat to water. This is how hot water is supplied to all the faucets and appliances in a house. This article explains how a gas storage water heater works.

Working of a Gas Storage Water Heater:

A Gas storage water heater uses fuel, specifically propane or natural gas, which is why it is less expensive than the electric variant.
This storage water heater has a gas burner which is mainly responsible for heating water.
Thermostat detects the temperature of the water in the tank and gas valve regulates the amount of fuel supply to the gas burner. Natural or propane gas is piped to this gas valve. The burner is ignited by a pilot light or spark ignition.
All the unnecessary and toxic emissions from the burner are collected by the flue baffle and it flows through the flue tube, connected to the vent pipe. The vent pipe forces the emissions up through the tank, at the top, and normally up through the roof. Many latest technology storage water heaters have fans assisting this vent so that emissions can be piped out through the walls. This mechanism acts like a chimney for the hot water tanks.
A drain valve is located near the base of the tank, on the exterior part. This valve is used to empty the tank or flush the sediments out of it.
A tube extends down inside the water heater tank. Hot water exits from this tube through the hot water outlet because the tank is always under high pressure.
Cold water enters the tank through the cold water inlet or diffuser dip when hot water exits from it. This cold water pipe or diffuser dip has a shut off valve outside the tank, at the top.
An anode rod made of magnesium or aluminum is placed inside the tank. This anode carries out the process of ionization to minimize the water’s corrosive elements that reduce the tank’s shelf life. The larger the anode, the longer the hot water tank survives.
The pressure/temperature relief valve is placed on the top of the tank. It opens automatically if the temperature or pressure exceeds the safe limits.
Combustion gas openings are vents that remove the combustion gas created in the tank.
The entire tank is sealed with a non-flammable, insulating material to reduce standby heat.

A variety of gas storage water tanks is available in the market depending on the size and tank capacity. Take help of our professional water heater installers to select a perfect hot water tank for your house. You can also get in touch with us for the maintenance of your storage water heater.

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How to Fix a Water Heater Drain Valve?

How to Replace a Water Heater Pressure Relief Valve?

How to Replace a Water Heater Expansion Tank?

How a Storage Water Heater Works?

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