Maintenance Tip #1 Preparing the water heater Turn off the power if its an electric
water heater. Turn off the water to the water heater by closing the valve on
the cold water line. Its located on top of the water heater. The cold line is
always to the right. Open a hot water tap inside the house. Air pressure will come
out of the tap. Open the drain valve located at the bottom of the water heater.
It looks like a hose bibb. Let a gallon or more out of the water heater. Do
not allow anyone to use hot water for the time you are working on the water heater.
Maintenance Tip #2 Why do maintenance? The information in this article isn't
public knowledge. It should be. It is also very difficult to find any maintenance
information about water heaters anywhere. These tips will make it more
heat efficient, and far less capable of causing problems down the road. Most maintenance
is quick and cheap as well. Maintenance Tip #3 Access of the hexhead
On top of every tank-type water heater lies a hexagonal-shaped head. It is either
readily seen or it is not. If it is not, then this is a chance for improving
the future maintenance of the water heater. Drill very shallow 1/4 inch holes
one at a time through the sheet metal top of the water heater. Do not drill into
the water heater or it will be unusable. Once a hole is drilled use a thin object
such as a pen or screwdriver to poke inside and locate the hex head. When
located, use tin snips to peel back the tin metal at the top and remove any foam
insulation near the hex head. Use tape to cover up the sharp edges of the tin
metal to avoid cutting your hands. Pat the edges of tin down with a hammer as
well. Now your anode rods inside your tank can be maintained more easily. That's
because they are attached to the hex head. Maintenance Tip #4 When can a gas
water heater receive maintenance? Turn the control dial to PILOT. Look inside the
combustion chamber once the flame is out with a flashlight. Do you see any water,
rust, or water marks? If yes, then you'll probably need to invest in a brand
new water heater altogether. If no, then maintenance of the water heater will
be an option for you. Now look on top of the gas water heater at the chimney
baffle. It's the long piece of tin metal that extends to the ceiling usually.
Does it have any rust on it? If yes, then you have poor ventilation in the room
with the water heater in it. Call a plumber for advice on your situation, because
you don't want a hole rusted through the tin metal. If no rust appears, maintenance
can be performed. Maintenance Tip #5 Recording the maintenance you do.
Put a large sticker on the outside of the water heater, but don't put it on anything
important. Record the date when you check or replace the anode rods. Also
write down any time you flush the tank out. If any new parts are used, write
the part and date down too. Maintenance Tip #6 Anode inspection Check your anode
rods every two or three years. Every once in awhile the anode location is written
on the instruction on the outside of the water heater. You may have a combination
anode rod. This means that it is attached to the hot water outlet on top
of the water heater. To find out if you have one, disconnect the plumbing at
the water heater and the hot water outlet, which is always on the left. Poke a
clothes hanger wire straight down inside the hole. If it hits something a few inches
inside, you have a combination anode. Use a pipe wrench to remove the combination
anode. You may have an anode rod underneath a plastic disc only 2 inches
wide or less. Pop the disc and then use a 1-1/16 inch socket wrench, a 3/4 drive,
and a breaker bar. Any person may have to steady the tank when you unscrew
the anode rod. |
