It is always better to carry out regular water heater maintenance. Instead of carrying out water tank repairs, if you regularly maintain the water heater you can increase its life.

Water tank repair is only necessary when there is a major fault in the system. You can regularly carry out water heater maintenance using the following important tips.

Watch For Problems
Repair the problems which are visible to the naked eye. Do not procrastinate and delay as they may culminate into bigger problems. Nip them in the bud. A small leak? Get it fixed. Water tank isn’t heating water properly? Call a hot water heater technician today to get that tank repaired. The longer you delay problems related to plumbing or heater maintenance, the more it’s going to cost you in the long run.

Clean The Area Around The Water Heater
There are several reasons why it's a good idea to give your water heater some space. A gas-fired unit needs a good supply of oxygen to burn the gas. If a water heater is smothered and can’t get enough oxygen, it can affect the efficiency of the unit as well as cause damage to the burner chamber and other water heater parts. It can also cause carbon monoxide leaks. If the unit starts to leak, you may not be able to detect it soon if the area is hidden from view. This has the potential to cause severe water damage and even waste energy as the water heater has to reheat the water more often. Storing items too close to the water heater can be a fire hazard.

Drain Your Water Heater
At least once a year, drain a few gallons out of your water heater using the drain valve. Use either a 5-gallon bucket or a garden hose and run it to a place where the hot water will not cause damage. (Do not drain it to your landscaping or lawn, as hot water may kill the grass.) If you notice a lot of sediment or debris, then a full flush is recommended. This is where you turn the temperature down and then completely drain the tank. You then turn the water back on while the drain is open and let the water flow for a minute or so to help remove any lingering sediment or debris. Once that is done and the tank has been refilled, turn the thermostat back to the desired setting

Annual Water Heater Inspection
Start with the top of your water heater and check for any corrosion on the pipes and valves. For gas water heaters, check the draft hood and make sure it is placed properly, with a few inches of air space between the tank and where it connects to the vent. Look for any corrosion or wear on the gas line and on the piping. Check the thermostat and the area below the thermostat, where the gas chamber is located.

With a few tools of your own and some basic knowledge, you can always maintain your water heater. Increase your knowledge related to water tank repair, with relation to plumbing. This will help you avoid things that cause damage and will help you lengthen the life of the water heater.

Many homeowners fail to realize that their water heater is giving trouble.
This can be potentially dangerous as you may find your hot water going bust all out of the blue. If you are not aware how to identify hot water tank problems or even, for that matter a simple water tank leak, this is the perfect article for you.

Getting straight to the point, how should one identify a water tank leak? With the help of the following steps you will be able to identify the leak, and any other hot water tank problems, in no time.

• Age of the water heater

How old is your water heater? If it is older than 10 years, it should be considered for replacement as it can cause great damage if it develops a leak, especially if it is in such a location. Old may be gold, but old does not last forever.

• Loose drain valve

If the drain valve for your water heater becomes loose, it allows for water to leak. It is easy to tighten a drain valve with a wrench but be careful not to over tighten as it can break.

• Condensation

Sometimes, hot water will trick homeowners into thinking there is a leak when infact there is nothing wrong. It is natural for condensation to occur on a hot water tank. When cold water enters the tank first when the outside air is hot, it condenses.

• Examine the water coming out of the faucets

If chunks of sediment are visible in the water coming out, it’s time to clean your unit. Muddy or rusty water suggests that there is a problem with your unit. If the sediment is allowed to buildup, it will cause an early failure of the water heater. Address it when you start seeing the mentioned symptoms.

• Leaking water that does not stop

This one is obvious and self explanatory. Once a water heater tank starts leaking it will definitely not stop.

• Rumbling and noise

As your water heater ages, sediment will start to build up at the bottom. As this sediment is slowly heated and reheated again, it starts to harden. Once this happens, you will start to hear rumbling or banging sounds from your water heater. Eventually, the water tank will wear out because of the constant heating and reheating and will develop cracks and tiny holes. In order to avoid water tank leaks, just clean the tank beforehand when you start noticing sediment in your water.

If you take care of these small issues, you will be able to lengthen the life of your water heater and avoid possible problems. At times, even though you have diagnosed a problem, you may not get the time to fix it because of your busy schedule. It would be a good idea to hire professional Edmonton plumbers who are available 24*7 to take care of your need; from installing tanks to tank maintenance they offer all kinds of services.

Hot water heaters are a blessing on those freezing winter mornings. To keep them in excellent shape and avoid hot water heater problems, good water heater maintenance is a must. If not taken care of, these devices can be hazardous to you and your family. Protect yourself from unwanted accidents by following the water heater safety do’s and don’ts listed below.
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Do’s
Ensure your gas water heater is installed in an area with adequate ventilation. Gas water heaters can leak carbon monoxide, which is odorless but can be toxic if inhaled. Get a professional to check your ventilation and for water heater maintenance to avoid leaks in future.

Set your water heater thermostat temperature to 120 degrees Celsius. Temperatures higher than 120 degrees Celsius can cause scalding, especially for young children.

Prevent the possibility of fire by storing flammable liquids such as paint cans, cleaning fluids, gas cans away from your gas hot water heater.

Sediment buildup in the hot water tank can cause corrosion and other water heater problems. Flush it once every three months to get rid of build up residue and prevent the need for hot water tank repair.

Get it serviced by a professional as regular water heater maintenance is essential for its smooth functioning and long life.

When going away for many days, set the water heater temperature to its lowest setting. This will save energy and avoid the risk of any hot water heater problems from occurring while you are away.

Check the safety valve at least once a year. If you don’t know how to, contact a water heater professional to detect early signs of hot water heater problems.


Don’ts
Don’t leave children unattended near a water heater

Don’t try to undertake hot water tank repair by yourself if you don’t know what you are doing. Always consult a professional.

Don’t ignore the signs that water heater maintenance is due. A minor problem today could cause a huge disaster tomorrow.

Don’t wait too long to call for hot water tank repairs, especially if you notice a leak.

Follow these tips for safe and efficient use of the water heater and to ensure it lasts for a long time before it is time to replace it.