Should I Get My Water Heater Checked More Often?

Should I Get My Water Heater Checked More Often?

A leaking hot water heater is one of the more common plumbing problems you may have. Depending on the age of the tank, you may have a slow drip, or an unending stream of water. The first is an irritation, and a warning. The second is an emergency.

The tank of the water heater is under the pressure of the city supply, usually from 30 to 90 pounds per square inch, or P.S.I. That means that the water main is supplying a constant flow of pressurized water to replace any that leaks out, and you will soon have a flooded, basement, garage, or laundry room.

When you purchase a new water heater, you should receive a warrantee for about 10 years. It may be more, or maybe less. Usually the warrantee is placed on top of the unit or tacked to the wall, next to it. Have your plumber who installs your water heater show you what the parts are and how they work.

If your unit is gas fired, have him show you how to light the pilot if the gas ever is shut off. If it is electric, have him show you the circuit- breakers that control the power, and make sure they are marked correctly.

Looking at the top of the unit, you will see two pipes coming straight out of the top. One is the cold-water inlet, being fed from the water main. There should be a shutoff valve between the tank and the house plumbing, to shut off the inlet water in case of a leak. The other pipe is the hot water outlet, going to the rest of the house.

There will usually be a safety blow off valve to release the pressure if steam builds up inside the tank. This valve is usually bronze and often has a pipe pointing down so the steam would not burn your face.

Now that you know what is there, you can periodically check your unit by looking for leaks, rust, or corrosion where the pipes are screwed together, and possibly stains on the floor. If you do not feel comfortable doing the check yourself, have a plumber check it every several years.

When looking for a Knoxville Plumber to check your water heater, we would encourage you to look in your phone book for Knoxville Plumbing LLC and check them out on the internet at https://knoxvilleplumbingllc.com