Water Heaters Sale» Water Heater Problems Don’t Have to Leave You Out in the Cold

Water Heater Problems Don’t Have to Leave You Out in the Cold

bhackett — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 23:42:15 +0000

Water Heater Problems Don’t Have to Leave You Out in the Cold

Did you know that water heater problems are one of the most common reasons to call a plumber? Did you know that the average cost to replace a leaking water heater is around 00? If there were a way to easily and inexpensively extend the life of your water heater would you like to know how? Well, read on, the secret is in the anode.

It’s Too Late If The Tank Leaks

The number one reason that you need to replace a water heater is because the tank has started leaking. Many people wonder when to replace a water heater and when to repair it. The answer is when it has started leaking. There is no viable hot water heater repair for a leaking tank. Problems related to no hot water can almost always be repaired, but a leaking tank means the end of the road for that water heater.

The Anode Rod

Water heaters are essentially steel tanks with vitreous glass bonded to the inside to protect the steel from rust. This sounds good but there are always seams and fittings that leave some steel exposed to the water. That’s why water heater manufacturers install a sacrificial anode rod in the tank.

An anode rod protects the exposed steel from the effects of electrolysis. Electrolysis occurs when dissimilar metals are in contact with each other in water. Whichever metal is the most reactive will corrode first. A metal’s “reactivity” is measured on something called a galvanic scale.

Anode rods are made of aluminum or magnesium, which are more reactive than steel, so they will corrode first. This sacrificial role protects the steel inside the tank from corrosion. But, since they are designed to wear out, anode rods need to be replaced when depleted. How long this takes depends on several factors, such as water quality, temperature and usage patterns. Once the anode rod is used, up the tank starts corroding.

All new water heaters should have an anode rod installed from the factory. Some of them have the anode installed in a separate opening on top of the tank and some use a combination anode rod that is installed in the hot water outlet of the tank. If possible, get a water heater with a separate anode rod, which will usually have a hex head on top where the anode screws into the tank. This will allow you to add a second, combination anode to increase your protection.

Adding a second anode when installing or servicing a water heater is a very cost effective way to extend the life of the tank. That’s actually what the manufacturers do for their longer warrantied models. You can do the same thing. If you combine that with a regular maintenance routine you can add years to your water heater’s service life.

Drain The Tank At Least Yearly

Maintaining your water heater doesn’t have to be a big chore either. Every water heater manual written has a section regarding owner maintenance. They all say to inspect the T&P valve and drain the heater at least annually. If you have ever done those things you might have found out that the T&P Valve wouldn’t close properly after checking it and the water heater drain valve now leaks. Many people had a similar experience and decided it wasn’t worth the hassle.

While it’s true that the T&P Valve is likely to leak after testing it, the danger involved if it failed makes the risk of a leak worth it. If you want to see what could potentially happen due to a failed T&P, just Google “water heater blast” and check out the video at the website of that name. It will make replacing a part a no brainer. It only takes a little residential plumbing how to skill.

One other thing you can do when you install or service a water heater to make your life easier is to go ahead and replace the cheesy, plastic drain valve. You can do this really simply when the tank is dry. You can use a brass boiler drain of hose bibb, just make sure it is long enough to reach the tank through the insulation and housing. The absolute best way I’ve seen is to use a brass nipple, a threaded ball valve and an adapter from pipe threads to hose threads with a cap screwed on the hose threads to prevent accidentally opening the valve.

Once you’ve installed a real drain valve, follow the manufacturers suggestion. Once or twice a year, hook a hose to the drain and flush the tank out until the water runs clear. This will help prevent a sediment build up in the tank bottom. Sediment that collects around the bottom seam can act as a barrier and not allow the anode to protect that part of the tank. A reduction in efficiency due to this build up is also a common gas water heater problem, but the big issue is that it blocks the anode protection,

It is a good idea to check the anode when you flush the heater, if you make this a routine you will be able to replace the anode before it is completely gone. Remember, once the anode is gone the tank starts corroding. With the water to the water heater turned off, take a big wrench and remove the hex nut on top of the water heater. The anode should look sort of like a chewed up stick, this means it is working. If it is very small or looks almost like a wire with some chunks on it, it needs to be replaced.

Making sure your heater is protected with a good anode rod and performing at least an annual sediment flush should let you get the maximum length of service from your water heater. Since a water heater is probably the single most expensive component of your plumbing system, preventing a water heater problem can save you a bundle. Remember, it’s all about the anode.

Bryan Stevens is a Licensed Master Plumber with a knack for teaching

homeowners how to do their own basic plumbing repairs themselves. He has an amazing mini-course

called “How To Unclog A Toilet And Other DIY Plumbing Tips”. To claim your FREE copy,

visit: How To Unclog A Toilet

When troubleshooting a hot water heater, first identify if it’s a gas or electric heater; then, check the pilot light on a gas water heater and the circuit breakers on an electric heater. Fix minor problems on a gas or electric water heater using thisfree video from a home repair specialist on maintaining and fixing houses. Expert: Tim Gipson Contact: www.inhisstepsremodeling.com Bio: Tim Gipson is a home repair specialist and remodeling contractor in Franklin, Tenn. Filmmaker: Tim Brown
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Some Safety Tips to Consider When Buying a Propane Water Heater

bhackett — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 07:35:10 +0000

by photofarmer

Some Safety Tips to Consider When Buying a Propane Water Heater

You must pay special attention to safety when going in for a propane water heater. If you want to have such a heater in the house, it is obvious that providing piped inlet for flow of propane gas into the water heater will be the most economical option. You should go in for a propane heater if you already use propane as fuel for your generator in your house. This will reduce the cost of laying additional pipes.

It is important to check safety because inflow of gas into the propane water heater can quickly become a dangerous spot with leaks and even fire alarms. It is but obvious that any and every good quality propane water heater must have a gas inflow adjustment valve. If the gas is going to flow into the heater at a steady level without any variation whatsoever, you will end up spending a lot of money on fuel and there will be a huge safety risk involved in use of the heater.

Reducing the flow of propane into the heater will help you check whether the heater is working properly and whether it is providing the right quantity of hot water for every minute’s operation.

With improvement in technology, there is no need to go in for the big sized propane heaters for your family. Even if you are a family having many persons, you can go in for a compact propane heater that will take care of all your hot water requirements.

You should consider whether you need multiple compact propane heaters or single big boiler. Remember that insulation and maintenance expenses will be high when you are dealing with a big water heater. On the other hand, you will just have to pay for the cost of extra piping to supply propane to water heaters situated in different rooms

Another important safety feature that you should look for is the auto switch off feature. This is usually done with the help of a device that measures the temperature of the pilot flame. The moment the flame is extinguished, the supply of propane to the heater is switched off.

This ensures that there is no risk of propane gas leakage. This feature becomes even more important when you are installing multiple heaters in the house. There is always a possibility that the gas will come in contact with electricity and lead to a fire risk.

For more information on water heaters review and portable water heater please visit our website

Aqua Managers – FS 1 1/4-NPT – Floodstop for Water Heaters Water Leak Detection System – White – 1.25 in. pipe

bhackett — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 23:29:10 +0000

Aqua Managers – FS 1 1/4-NPT – Floodstop for Water Heaters Water Leak Detection System – White – 1.25 in. pipe

Image May Vary – Please See Product Title for Actual Size and Color!
Stops water flow automatically when water contacts the sensor
Motorized ball valve stay open until water loss is detected by sensor
Motorized ball valve will close and remain closed when water contacts sensor
To re-arm the system, simply press the controller’s Open Valve button

Introducing the Aqua Managers FS 1 1/4-NPT Floodstop for Water Heaters Water Leak Detection System – White – 1.25 in. pipe, featured in our Other Electrical_and_Solar department. This product generally ships within 2 business day(s) from Laguna Hills, California, and weighs 3 pound(s). Household water leaks and flooding can cost you a fortune. The New Generation FloodStop Electronic Water Leak Detection Equipment helps protect your home by automatically shutting off water to the water heater, wa

Rating: (out of 2 reviews)

List Price: $ 141.99

Price: $ 113.95

Takagi T-K3-OS-NG Whole House Ventless Outdoor Tankless Water Heater

bhackett — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:56:06 +0000

Product Description
Takagi TK3OS NG Tankless Water Heater The T-K3-OS is Takagi’s tankless water heater built only for outdoor installations. The T-K3-OS is one of Takagi’s smaller tankless water heaters. At 13.8 inches wide and weighing only 40 pounds, its ultra-comp… More >>

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Stiebel Eltron TEMPRA 24 PLUS N/A TEMPRA Pressure Balancing Whole House Tankless Water Heater- 4.1 G

bhackett — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 15:50:08 +0000

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http://www.rheem.com/products/tankless_water_heaters/how_it_works/

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