 A water heater is the most expensive device in your house when it comes to repairing or replacing it. These huge costs can be avoided by regularly maintaining them. But, maintenance is only possible when you take a close look at your water heater and its functions regularly. On checking the water heater, you might observe several defects and problems. Some defects occur with time, while some exist from the beginning due to improper installation. Here is a list of some common installation defects.
Installed at a Wrong Location There are several types of water heaters available in the market. Not choosing an appropriate one or under or over-estimating the size required can lead to long-term difficulties. Also, every water heater must be installed at a proper place. Some homeowners tend to install them in inappropriate places. A water heater cannot be installed in a storage room, bedroom, bedroom closet, bathroom, or bathroom closet, to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. This can result in congested fitting and accessibility to water heater becomes difficult. Incorrect Temperature-Pressure Relief Valve Connection A water heater is equipped with a standard safety feature called temperature-pressure relief valve (TPR). This valve automatically opens up when the temperature or pressure inside the tank when it reaches its threshold limit. Incorrectly installed valves can open up unexpectedly or cause the water heater to explode. If an overflow tube hasn’t been installed within 6 inches of the floor from the TPR, hot water could spray out all over the place. This can be very dangerous. Soldering Near the Tank Soldering is required to connect the new water heater to the water pipes. Soldering too close to the heater can be dangerous as the heat it takes to melt the soldering can also melt the plastic fittings inside the tank. This damage is difficult to identify until you start using the water heater regularly and the tank doesn’t fill properly. Heating an Empty Tank First-time users may miss out on various precautionary measures. They end up switching on the heater without filling the tank first. Before using the water heater, you should fill the tank with water. If you fail to fill the tank before turning it on, it may lead to some severe damages. The heating element of your electric water heater can burn out. In the case of gas water heaters, the entire tank can crack and become useless. Installing a new water heater may seem easy to carry out on your own, but it can turn into a disaster if not done correctly. Hence, it is advisable to take help from professional plumbers in Edmonton to avoid any installation defects. Hot Water Tanks Edmonton has a skilled and experienced staff who can deal with any kind of plumbing or water heater defects.
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The water heater installed in your house could become a ticking time bomb if it not positioned and maintained properly. Even though the explosion of water heater is a rare occurrence, it could explode because of a faulty or damaged temperature and pressure relief valve. These valves are important as they offer protection from high pressure and temperature build ups.  Let’s take a look the five easy steps that show how you can replace a damaged or old water heater valve.
Turn Off the Water Heater The first step before you alter or replace any safety devices residing on the hot water heater is to turn it off. You must shut off hot water heater valve, and the temperature dial must be kept on its lowest setting. Let the water heater rest for about 3 hours so it can cool down. Or, you can run the water until it becomes lukewarm. After this, turn off the water supply to your hot water heater. Release Pressure The second step is opening a hot water faucet for releasing pressure on the lines. Start by positioning a 5-gallon bucket under the tank drainage valve. You must drain enough water so that the water from tank reaches a level below the relief valve. 5 to 10 gallons of water drainage proves to be sufficient when a temperature-pressure valve is located on the top of a 50-gallon tank. Examine the Discharge Line The third step is to examine the discharge line of the temperature-pressure valve. This discharge line should run in a downward direction from the valve and should reach to the bottom of the tank. You must remove this discharge line by splitting it through a cutter or by cutting it with a hacksaw at least 2 inches below the valve. After this, pull out the nut-shaped connector that is threaded into the temperature-pressure relief valve. This can be done using a pair of slip-joint pliers or a wrench. You can then keep aside the discharge line for reuse. Remove the Valve The fourth step includes removing the temperature-pressure relief valve from the hot water tank by turning it counterclockwise using a large pipe wrench. You must clean threads of the relief valve opening by making use of a wire brush. After this, you can wipe away the remaining debris using a rag. Apply a good adhesive sealant to the threads of the new relief valve. You must insert the temperature-pressure relief valve into the opening of the tank and thread it hand-tight. Fasten the valve using a pipe wrench by doing three to four full turns. After this, you must align the valve in such a manner that it’s opening point faces downward toward the base of the tank. Turn on the Water Supply The fifth and last step is turning on the water supply to the hot water heater. This allows the air trapped in the faucet to be released through the outlet. After this, close the faucet. You must remember to flip open the lever on the temperature-pressure relief valve for a few seconds to determine whether it is operating properly. The proper functioning of a temperature-pressure valve is critical for the safe and secure operation of a hot water heater. If you are still not sure about changing temperature-pressure valve correctly, seek help from our professional plumbers in Edmonton.  It is very annoying when you want to have a hot water bath and your water heater keeps turning off all on its own. Your gas water heater might go off for various reasons but one of the most common problems could be the pilot light going off. If the pilot light of your gas water heater does not stay lit, you need to fix it as soon as possible. Here are some reasons why the pilot light in your gas water heater keeps going off:
Dirty Thermocouple One of the possible reasons why the pilot light in your gas water heater does not stay lit could be a dirty thermocouple. When you have a problem with your gas water heater not lighting, you need to check the pilot light. Then, conduct an inspection to see if the thermocouple is dirty. If you find out that the thermocouple is dirty, you will have to turn off the gas and let the thermocouple cool down. Once it is cool, you should clean it using a fine sandpaper. When you are done cleaning the thermocouple, you need to turn the gas back on and attempt to light the pilot. Bent Thermocouple At times, when the pilot light in your gas water heater does not stay lit, you have to check for a bent thermocouple. If the thermocouple is bent far from the pilot light it will prevent the pilot light from heating it. In this case, the thermocouple turns off the supply of gas and keeps the pilot light from lighting. In order to avoid your gas water heater from going out, you will have to bend the thermocouple in a way that it is closer to the pilot light. Damaged Thermocouple Another possible reason for the pilot light not staying on could be a damaged thermocouple. In the case of a damaged thermocouple, you cannot conduct any repairs on your own. You will have to call professional plumbers to solve the problem or you will have to get the thermocouple replaced. Dirty Pilot Tube Sometimes, the pilot light in your gas water heater might not stay on due to a dirty pilot tube. You will have to turn off the gas and wait for the pilot tube to cool down before you start cleaning it. To clean the pilot tube, you will have to use a needle. With the help of a needle, you will be able to clear out all the blockages present in the pilot tube. The problem of pilot light in the gas water heater going off is not very serious. You can fix this problem on your own easily but if you have never done any electrical work before, you should consider calling the professional plumbers in Edmonton. Many people and even the professional plumbers in Edmonton at times are not able to figure out why the electric water heater keeps tripping the breaker. The red reset button is also known as the high limit. It is designed in a way to trip when the water in the tank becomes too hot. This way it will cut off power to the elements. The red reset button is only a manually reset thermostatic switch that is designed to shut off the power to the electric water heater once the water in the tank becomes hot. This red reset button has no other function.  What Causes The Electric Water Heater to Trip The Breaker?Here are some different things that might be the reason why your electric water heater keeps tripping the breaker:
A Bad Thermostat A bad thermostat will not shut off and will allow continuous heating of water even after the set temperature has been reached. The hot water tanks in Edmonton have two thermostats, an upper and lower under the access panels, as well as two elements. When the thermostat keeps sticking in the on position it will cause the element it serves to continue heating the water in the tank and so the red reset button trips in order to cut power to the electric water heater. Loose Electrical Connection An internal loose connection or a loose electrical connection at the place where the wires connect to the upper thermostat might generate heat caused by the high resistance that is inside the thermostat. This will cause the breaker to sense the heat of the loose connection rather than the temperature of the water tank causing the electric water heater trip. Water Dripping on The Electrical Lines Water dripping on the electrical lines could be a problem with the breaker or a problem with the unit’s thermostat. In this case, the thermostat needs to be replaced. Any leak that comes in contact with the electrical components can be dangerous and cause the breaker to flip. A leak can also be caused by a failing gasket. You should get the failing gasket repaired quickly by professional plumbers. Troubleshooting Electric Water Heater That Keeps Tripping The Breaker Repairing hot water tanks in Edmonton is relatively easy. You can do the task by yourself with basic electrical skills and knowledge. You also need to have the basic tools like a screwdriver and a basic multimeter. You will have to be careful as the electrical voltage is very high and it can cause severe injury and can also result in death. The best way to deal with the problems associated with the hot water tanks in Edmonton is to call the professional plumbers in Edmonton. These professionals will be able to solve any problem with the electric water heater. Are you thinking of buying a new hot water tank for your home? Then, you need to know that there are different types of hot water tanks in Edmonton that you can choose from. The professional plumbers say that you do not have to buy the same hot water heater as your neighbors. Their hot water needs would be different than yours. So, it is very important that you choose a water heater which serves your purpose right.  Following are the different types of hot water tanks that you will find in Edmonton: Conventional Storage Water Heater The conventional storage water heater is one of the most commonly used hot water tank in Edmonton. It comes with an insulated storage tank that has the capacity of holding a large quantity of heated water. Liquid propane, natural gas, oil, or electricity could be the fuel for this type of water heaters. Whenever you need hot water, you will have an immediate and sufficient supply. The conventional storage water heaters are available in various sizes. You can select the one based on the requirements of your family. Tankless Water Heaters If you compare the tankless water heater with a conventional storage water heater, you will know that the tankless water heater promises energy cost savings. This is because the tankless water heaters heat water only when necessary. The tankless water heaters have low flow rate. They cannot accommodate more than one household use at a time. For example, you cannot have a hot water shower while you are running the dishwasher. Another disadvantage of tankless water heaters is that they come at a price that is double than the conventional storage water heaters. Solar Water HeatersThe solar water heaters are powered by the sun. Thus, they have a free and unlimited source of energy. This type of water heaters contain two parts – an insulated storage tank and a solar collector. You can have the unit installed either on the roof or in the yard. There are two basic types of solar water heaters. The active solar water heaters distribute water through pumps, while the passive solar water heaters rely on the force of gravity. Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters The electric heat pump water heaters are powered by electricity alone. This type of water heaters work in order to intensify the heat that it draws from the air, transferring that heat to the quantity of water that is in the storage tank. An electric heat pump works more efficiently in hot climates as it works in concert with the environment. These are the various types of hot water tanks in Edmonton. You can get the best water heater if you determine the needs of your family first. When you make up your mind on any particular type of water heater, you should also consider getting the right advice from professional plumbers to make sure that you are getting the best water heater for your home.
 It is very important to set the temperature of your water heater right. Once you know what is the best temperature for your hot water tanks, you will be able to reduce the risk of scalding and prevent illnesses. The best temperature for hot water tanks will differ depending on what the hot water will be used for. The professional plumbers in Edmonton have listed a few things to keep in mind when adjusting the temperature of your hot water tanks in Edmonton:
There are two main and opposing risks that are associated with wrong hot water tank temperatures:
Best Temperature for Hot Water Tanks Professional plumbers in Edmonton are of the opinion that the temperature of your hot water tanks should be adjusted according to the task for which the hot water is going to be used. Minimum Temperature In order to prevent the risk of pathogens, it is important for you to set the temperature of hot water tanks properly. The temperatures of water that affect the survival of pathogens growing inside the stored water in the tanks are as follows:
Maximum Temperature If you set the temperature too high, it might scald the user. Young children and older people are at great risk as their skin is thinner as compared to the others. They will also not be able to move away quickly from the scalding water. The professional plumbers in Edmonton recommend the temperature to be set at 49o C. Dishwashers The recent dishwasher models need minimum 49o C. Most of the new dishwasher models come with heaters and have the capability of heating the interiors. If you own an older dishwasher, you should check out the specifications for adjusting the best temperature for hot water tanks. So, what is the best temperature for hot water tanks? The temperature that strikes the right balance between safety and comfort will be the right temperature for your hot water tanks. Get in touch with the professional plumbers in Edmonton if you do not know how to adjust the temperature of your hot water tank accurately.  Image Source URL: https://pixabay.com/en/photos/ We rely on a water heater every single day. A gas hot water heater is generally very quiet and dependable. The life of a gas hot water heater is around 10 years. Although with some proper maintenance tips, you can easily extend the life of your heater. Maintaining your water heater will also help you save a lot of money on repairs. By following this gas hot water heater maintenance tips, you can easily extend the life of your heater by adding some more years to it. Drain the tank As your gas water heater starts to age, there is calcium buildup that settles at the bottom of the tank. This can lead to a lot of problems, but most importantly it affects the heating efficiency of the heater. The tank has to work harder in order to heat up the water. This further leads to the gas hot water heater’s breakdown. To prevent the breakdown of your water heater and to keep it in a proper working condition you should drain the tank which prevents calcium buildup and further problems associated with it. Some professional plumbers in Edmonton say that you should flush out your tank monthly, some say yearly while some say in-between. The best advice, however is to flush out your tank every four months and see how clear the water is as you drain it out. If the water is clear after four months, you can wait six months for the next service. Check the temperature and pressure relief valve To ensure that your tank does not get excessively hot or over pressurized, the temperature and pressure valve on your hot water tank should be checked properly. Over a period of time, scaling inside the tank can raise the inside temperature and pressure of the valve which will cause it to not operate efficiently. In the case of overheating, turn off the gas and water supply to the tank immediately. For any further help, there are many professional plumbers in Edmonton who will be able to deal with your gas hot water heater problems. Check and replace the anode Another problem with water heaters is corrosion. To prevent your water heater from corroding, it comes equipped with a long, replaceable rod of zinc which is called as an anode. The anode is eaten away by the corrosion and thus, your tank remains safe. You must remove the anode and check its efficiency, and replace it only when it’s partially done. This might be a difficult job for you to determine the anode’s condition, so you should call professional plumbers who can check and replace the anode for you. These daily maintenance tips will help you to upgrade the efficiency and extend the life of your gas hot water heater, making it less expensive at the same time.  Image Source URL: https://www.pexels.com/photo/ Not everyone likes taking cold water showers, especially during winters. Hot water is very much necessary for most people. In order to get hot water, your hot water tank needs to be in proper working condition all the time. Getting your hot water tanks in Edmonton checked and inspected regularly will enable our professional plumbers to identify signs which will help in fixing any problem before it turns into a major one. Here are some signs that will help you interpret that your hot water tank needs repairs. Age of the hot water tank Everything comes with a life-span. You can’t make something work efficiently once it’s estimated life span is complete. It’s important to know the age of your hot water tank. Most of the hot water tanks have a life-span of around 10 years. If your water heater installation was done more than 10 years ago, you should consider replacing it. Dirty water When you experience dirty or rusty water coming out from your hot water tank, you should know that there is something wrong with it. The reason for rusty water from the hot water tank could be that the metal coils inside your hot water tank has begun to rust. This problem of rust can further lead to leaks. And hence, you should consider rusty water as a warning sign to either repair or replace your hot water tank immediately. No hot water The main function of a hot water tank is to provide hot water. If your hot water tank is unable to perform its only job, you know that it is up for a repair. When you don’t get hot water, the hot water tank should be given immediate attention by calling our professional plumbers. Weird noises This is a problem that often starts when your water heater begins to age. Older hot water tanks will have a layer of mineral buildup over a period of time. As this buildup settles to the bottom of the heater and hardens, it will make strange noises. Also, this tank will not run as efficiently as it used to before. You should, therefore, not ignore the noises and get quick repairs done. Leaks Another problem that hot water tanks experience is leakages. If you spot water around the hot water tank, you should never ignore it. This will lead to a major water heater breakdown which cannot be repaired. The only option would be that of replacement. The appearance of water puddles around the hot water tank is a sign of corrosion inside the hot water tank or some other dysfunction. Calling professional plumbers to solve this problem as soon as possible would save you from heavy expenses of water heater replacements. When your hot water tank shows any of these signs, you should know that your heating unit is under problem. Getting professional water heater installation done and maintaining your hot water tank properly would save you from such problems.  Image Source URL: https://www.pexels.com/photo/
Some people favor gas water heaters while the others opt for electric water heaters. Both of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. Before installing any water heater, consider what are your preferences and find out which resources are readily available in plenty around your locality. This will help you make an informed decision without worrying about the pros and cons. Although the basic price differences between gas and electricity, and the efficiency of gas heater may persuade you to choose a gas water heater over an electric water heater, however you could take a look at the number of benefits electric water heater provides: Safety Unlike a gas water heater, an electric water heater has no pilot light and requires no re-ignition. You do not need to worry about the odor of dangerous gas fumes or carbon monoxide. There are no chances of explosion from a gas leak. And you do not have to worry about pets and children coming close to it. You can store things around an electric water heater and do not worry about any damages to it. Installation costs When you install a gas water heater, you will have to pay the professional plumbers in Edmonton to vent the exhaust. That means you have to install PVC tubing up through your home and out of your roof. Whereas with an electric water heater, you just have to install a special outlet or bare wiring. Installing an electric water heater is very easy. It requires no ventilation or maintenance too. You also do not need to drill holes onto your roof. Space requirements Gas water heaters need a lot of ventilation around the sides and the top. Even the professional plumbers in Edmonton will not be able to install them in a small enclosure. On the other hand, one of the benefits of electric water heater is that it can be installed in a small place without the fear of gas buildup or an explosion. You can install these water heaters under the sink too. Hot water availability One of the benefits of electric water heater is that it heats water quickly and easily as compared to gas water heaters. Electric water heaters are designed in a way to maintain their temperature and provide water at all times. You will never be without hot water when you have an electric water heater. Lifespan There is no comparison between gas water heaters and electric water heater when it comes to life expectancy. The electric water heaters are made up of fewer parts and those parts are subjected to produce direct heat. They can last for years beyond the lifespan of a gas water heater. Electric water heaters are cost-effective options as they do not require fuel to operate. It is, therefore, more economical to invest in an electric water heater over a gas water heater. The benefits of electric water heater are too many as compared to that of gas water heaters. You should, therefore, consider electric water heaters as they are a better option to have. With electric water heaters, you will not have to worry about regular maintenance and repair of your water heater, and also you’ll be able to keep your house and your loved ones safe.  Image Source URL: https://pixabay.com/en/
There are a number of things that have to be kept in mind when deciding whether to buy an electric water heater or a gas water heater. A gas water heater makes use of heat that is generated by burning a fuel, while an electric water heater makes use of electric resistance coils. Before you purchase an electric water heater or a gas water heater, you should read the following comparison between the two as it will help you in picking the best water heater considering your need. Performance A gas heater can heat up to 50 gallons of water in an hour. It has a faster recovery rate as compared to the electric water heater. An advantage of traditional gas water heaters is that they can function even when there is an event of power failure. Gas water heaters are a great choice for families with more than 4 members as the electric water heaters will prove inefficient in fulfilling the hot water demands of larger families. Efficiency Traditional gas water heaters are less efficient because of the loss of heat from the exhaust gas and from the walls of the storage tank. The amount of water that is stored inside the tank is kept hot at all times which uses a lot of energy. The electric water heaters are more efficient in comparison to the gas hot water tanks. However, the savings in actual consumption of energy are mitigated by the higher electricity costs as opposed to gas. Life expectancy Where the average life expectancy of gas water heaters is only 5-8 years, the lifespan of an electric water heater is between 8-10 years. The gas water heaters have a slightly shorter life span, but the difference is not very significant. Cost Both the electric water heaters and the gas water heaters have similar price range. However, the installation of an electric water heater is more expensive. Also, the operational costs differ a lot. The electricity usage costs much more than gas, which means that in the future electric water heaters will be more expensive to operate. The gas water heaters are a cheaper option and so most of the customers prefer buying them. There are pros and cons to both types of water heaters. It is important for you to know about your hot water needs as it will help you in deciding the best type of water heater for your family. You can opt to consult the professional plumbers in Edmonton as they would be able to provide more essential information about the two types of water heaters and their strengths and weaknesses. |
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