Now that August is here, it’s time to get ready to go back to school. Though we normally think about taking the kids’ clothes shopping, picking out backpacks, and pencils, it is also a time for the adults to brush up on their home plumbing skills. One of those skills in their knowledge of an important appliance; their water heaters.
Without your water heater, getting the kids out to school in the morning would be a lot more difficult. Hot water is used in our showers, cooking, clothes washing, and much more. Having some basic knowledge of how your hot water heater works, and how you can prevent repairs is crucial for a well working system.
With that in mind, we have decided to put together a course on your water heater. Read on below to get all of the information you need, including where you can go for help when your water heater needs assistance.
The Basics Of Your Water Heater
Your water heater is a basic machine that heats water from the source to be delivered throughout your home. Though there are a few different models of water heaters, such as a tankless heater, we are going to concentrate on a standard tank water heater today.
First, cold water from the source is deposited by a long pipe to the bottom of your tank.- At the bottom of your tank is the heating device (natural gas or electric) where the cold water is heated.
- The water that is not heated rises to the top of the tank.
- Distribution pipes then take the hot water from the top of the tank and move it to the faucet that you turned on.
That, students, is really all there is to it! In a tankless water heater, the only difference is there is no tank. So cold water is passed over the heating mechanism, the water is heated, and it’s distributed throughout your home to where it is needed.
How To Maintain Your Water Heater
In our next class, we are looking at water heater maintenance. The most common way to maintain your water heater is by flushing the system.
Basically, this is done by turning the energy source for your water heater off, and turning off your cold water. A hose is then attached to the tanks drain valve and the flushing of the system begins! Normally, water heater maintenance is best done by a professional.
Not only will they be able to complete this quite quickly, but they are also able to spot any problems or repairs that may need to be done. Which brings us to your next topic…
Signs That You Need Water Heater Repair
Okay, so far we have covered how your hot water heater works, and the basics of how to maintain your system. As mentioned, water heater maintenance is best performed by a professional so they can troubleshoot problems before they occur.
As a homeowner, you can also look out for signs of repairs. There are four basic signs that indicate your system may fail. Those signs are when you do not have any hot water, odd noises coming from your water heater, cloudy water, and water leaks.
When it comes to water leaks, you want to make sure that water is not pooling under your tank, or coming from your pressure relief valve. If you notice any of these issues, it is best to call for help from a professional.
Know Who To Call In An Emergency
When you see any of the signs above, your best bet is to reach out to the professionals (yes, this will be test time!). Total Comfort Heating, Air & Plumbing is a trusted member of the community with years of experience in water heater repair and installation. Give us a call today at (540) 373-9780. We are standing by waiting for your call!
