Everything You Need To Know About Water Heater Repair And Maintenance | San Antonio, TX
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Having hot water is often taken for granted until something goes wrong. When your water heater stops working, you may find yourself having to have a cold shower, which can be an unpleasant experience, especially in the winter months. Having a water heater that works well and is regularly serviced and maintained will help you avoid a complete breakdown.
If you live in San Antonio, TX, or the surrounding area and are searching for water heater repair, you may like to contact bluefrog plumbing and drain. The company can install a new water heater or do repairs, depending on the severity of the problem. Water heater repair will keep your family healthy and happy and improve overall well being.
Keeping your water heater in good condition by having it regularly serviced and maintained will help you avoid having to pay for expensive repairs. Let’s look at some of the ways you can maintain your system to avoid water heater repair.
How to Maintain Your System and Avoid Expensive Water Heater Repair
Water heaters are generally long-lasting if they are well looked after and regularly maintained. In general, water heaters can last for between eight and twelve years. It’s a wise idea to have routine servicing. This can be done by a local water heater service or the company that installed your water heater in the first place.
There are many things you can do between servicings to ensure your water heater remains in good working order. Don’t attempt to do any repairs or maintenance yourself if you don’t know what you’re doing. Always call in the professionals.
If you have an electric water heater, you should always turn off the power if there are any problems. You can then call a water heater repair service. For water heaters that are gas valves, turn the thermostat off.
Flush Out Your Water Heater
Flushing out your water heater can be beneficial and can help increase your water heaters’ life span. Flushing the system prevents rust from forming and eliminates any sediment that’s settled at the bottom of your tank. It’s also good to flush your system as it can help improve the unit’s energy efficiency.
You can either do a complete flush or a mini flush. You may like to call in the professionals if you’re not confident enough to flush the system yourself. A complete flush will require shutting your water heater down, whereas a mini-flush can be completed with the water heater still running.
You can do a mini flush yourself by putting a bucket underneath your system’s drain valve. This valve will be located at the bottom of the water heater tank.
You can then turn the drain valve in a counter clockwise direction which will release between one and two gallons of water. Be careful when doing this job as the water will be very hot and you could easily burn yourself. You can then turn the valve in the opposite direction to close it. If you are unable to open the valve, you can contact your local water heater company or a plumber.
Check the T&P Valve
Water heaters have inbuilt safety features, including the T&P valve. This valve is able to sense when dangerous pressure has started to build up in your water heater. It also keeps an eye on the temperature of the water inside the tank. If there are any problems, the valve will open automatically so that the pressure can be relieved.
If your water heater T&P valve isn’t working correctly, it will explode if the water pressure or temperature is too high. It’s a good idea to have a water heater technician test the T&P valve on an annual basis. Some homeowners test their T&P valve by themselves, but it’s best to call in the professionals if you don’t know what you are doing. Pressure build-up inside your water tank can be very dangerous. If you already have your water heater serviced annually, the technician will check the T&P valve, so you don’t need to worry.
Reduce the Temperature
Most water heaters that are installed in homes come with a pre-set temperature of between 130 and 140 F. If you’re looking to save money on your monthly utility bills or make your household more environmentally friendly, you may like to reduce the temperature slightly. The Department of Energy recommends reducing your water heater setting to 120 F. This temperature is adequate for most households and will reduce your energy bills by as much as five percent.
It’s also beneficial to set your water heater to a slightly lower temperature if you have young children, as it will reduce the likelihood that they are scalded by hot water. A lower temperature can also help to slow down the amount of sediment and mineral deposits that accumulate in your tank.
If you have a gas water heater, you can easily lower the temperature by turning the temperature dial to 120 F.
For electric water heaters, you’ll need to turn off the water heater’s power and then locate the thermostat which may be hidden under a panel. You can then change the temperature to 120F, you may need a screwdriver to do this. Then replace any covers or panels you’ve opened and turn on the power. If you have a water heater with two thermostats, you should adjust both temperatures so that they are the same.
bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, Water Heater Repair, San Antonio, TX
If you live in San Antonio, TX, or the surrounding area and are searching for water heater repair, don’t hesitate to contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio. The company is available for servicing, installation, maintenance, and water heater repair.
bluefrog is a BBB-rated water heater repair business that has an excellent track record and many happy customers. The team prides themselves on their excellent customer service and can be contacted at 210-876-1629.
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