From time to time it is imperative that you will need to conduct repairs to certain equipment that you have in your house. When this happens it can cost a great deal of money and can often take you by surprise if you are not prepared to spend a big sum of money to remedy the broken item. Proper upkeep and routine maintenance can help eliminate these issues from occurring when you are least expecting it. As with anything preventing problems before they happen is a smart move. This article will identify some tips on how you can repair some minor problems with your water heater. Doing so can save you money at the moment.
- Safety. Before you prepare to work on any item in your home that uses electricity or power, you need to be sure that the electricity is turned off. If it is not and you work with the equipment, you are liable to get shocked, burnt, or experience severe pain. To do this, turn off the power to the unit and if your unit has a gas pilot, be sure that it is turned off as well. Lastly, shut the water off to the water heater.
- Test the unit. After you have turned off the circuit breaker, you will need to test the water heater to be sure that the power is off. There should be a tester located with the non-contact voltage detector. You can test the detector by inserting the tip of the tester into an outlet by putting into an outlet that you know has power. If there is power, it will light up or beep. After you have completed this task you can test the wires that lead to the water heater. If the wires are covered, the tester won’t show that there is voltage. If it does, you will need to take out the thermostat cover on the water heater and take out the insulation. Find the cutoff switch and turn it off.
- Discolored or smelly water. If your water has a rusty color, this could mean that it has rust and grime hardened inside the tank. This can be a simple fix by just flushing and cleaning out the tank. However, if your water is smelly, this could mean that bacteria has built up inside the tank. To fix this issue, you will need to clean the tank by using chlorine bleach. Check to see if the anode rod needs to be replaced as well.
- Fix a dribbling valve. To do this, you will need to check the springs in the valve. A dribbling valve could mean that the spring is weak which is causing the leak. If you experience water pressure that is very high, you can replace or install a thermal expansion tank to fix this issue.
- Valves releasing lots of hot water. If your water heater is spewing out a great amount of hot water, you will need to touch the outside of the water heater to see if it is hot to the touch. If it is, you will need to consult your unit’s troubleshooting guide for assistance.
If you have tried these remedies and your water heater is still malfunctioning, it is probably best to call a professional such as those who can fix a water heater in mckinney.
