Hot Water Repairs, Installation

Unless you are a fan of showering in cold water, it is advised that you monitor and maintain your hot water heater regularly. A complete checkup roughly every six months will lower the chances of a total breakdown of the heater, leaving you stuck with only cold water while you wait for a plumber.

Newer and more sophisticated heating systems like tankless heaters, solar units, or heat pumps should for the most part be monitored and maintained by a professional plumber, as tinkering around with high-tech systems is not advisable for a DIY job. However if you still have a traditional tank water heater, there are several things you can do to maintain it on your own.

Take a Look Around
Before even touching the hot water heater, other areas can be checked first to investigate whether or not any major problems are looming. The first places are ones that you already encounter every day; namely, your faucets and shower head. Has your water become noticeably cooler or hotter than it used to? This is a sign that your heater’s thermostat or heating element could be starting to go off.

When inspecting the water heater itself, look around for drips, puddles, or any other signs of leaking. Also look out for rust or cracks on the exterior of the tank. If you notice either of these you should have a professional plumber investigate right away so you can determine how to repair it or if you should replace it altogether.

And if you own a gas water heater, you should check the colour of the burner flame. If things are in working order the flame will be mostly blue. If the flame looks more orange or red, however, then your heating element is not working properly and you will need to replace or adjust it.

Check It, Flush It, Replace It
If you are game for some self-maintenance prior to contacting a plumber, use these three steps which you can safely try by yourself:

Start by checking the pressure relief valve. This valve bleeds off the pressure from the tank, and if gets stuck the pressure can build up to the point that the tank can even explode. Usually this valve will be labeled, but consult the heater’s manual if you it isn’t and you need help to locate it.

To check this valve, all you need to do is open it to make sure that it both opens and closes smoothly. Also ensure that the drain outlet is clear; if everything is in working order than hot water should spray out.

Next try flushing the tank. Flip the circuit breaker for the water heater first and the shut off the inlet valve for cold water. Next put a hose on the drain outlet to lead the water down the drain or outside. To empty the tank more quickly, open the pressure relief valve as well as the drain valve. This will remove the sediment in your tank which can seriously damage it over time.

Once the tank is emptied, close the pressure relief and drain valves again. Next turn on all the hot water faucets in the house (which should be completely dry), and then open up inlet valve for cold water to fill up the tank. Turn all the faucets off again once the water begins to flow, then finally flip circuit break for your water heater back on to start heating your now clean and sediment-free tank.

You should also check the anode rod. The anode rod is a metal rod inside the tank which attracts corrosive elements that would otherwise attack the tank itself. Eventually, however, the anode rod will eventually rust away so much that the corrosion will begin to attack the tank itself. Check this rod from time to time and replace as needed in order to prolong the life of your water heater tank.

If until now you have not been giving your hot water heater regular maintenance, there is no better time to start than now.

And if you do discover what might become a more serious problem, or even if you are simply more comfortable leaving the matter up to a professional, please do contact your local plumbing professional for hot water repairs.