Is Your Hot Water Heater Ready For The Holidays?
The holidays are a time when many hot water heaters work very hard to keep up with household demand. As your home fills up with guests and you begin to make large meals for your loved ones, you may find yourself using a lot more hot water than normal. Getting your hot water heater ready for the holidays can help you ensure that your guests will comfortable and happy in your home this coming holiday season.
Inspect Your Water Heater for Wear and Tear
Hot water heaters will start to display symptoms of problems when they get too old. Inspect your water heater to ensure that it is prepared to meet the demands of your guests. Look for warning signs:
- Corrosion on the exterior of the tank. Corrosion is a sign that the hot water heater either has an existing leak or could develop a leak very soon.
- Puddles of water beneath the heater, or signs of water damage below the heater. Once your hot water is actively and visibly leaking, it needs to be replaced.
- Signs of burn marks on the heater itself. This is a sign that the heating elements in your hot water heater are not functioning properly.
Reduce the Chance of Scalding
Some people will turn up the temperature of their water heater to ensure that they can have a hot shower when they want it. Unfortunately, this can lead to accidental scalding for people who are unaware that your water heater is turned up very high. To avoid problems, keep your water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep Your Hot Water Heater Efficient
Your home's water heater may become inefficient over time. This is expected and natural. However, you can slow the degradation of your water heater by draining the sediment from the tank on a regular basis. Draining the sediment enables your hot water heater to function more efficiently for your guests and keep up with your home's growing demand. To drain your hot water heater, do the following:
- Turn off the power and cold water supply to the hot water heater.
- Open up a hot water faucet somewhere in your house.
- Attach a hose to the spigot at the bottom of your home's hot water heater. Place the other end of the hose into a bucket or a drain.
- Open up the spigot so that the hot water from the tank drains out of the heater.
- Allow the hot water to drain from the heater until it runs clear.
Once this is done, you can turn off the hot water spigot, close the hot water faucet in your home and turn on the power and cold water supply to the water heater. Following these tips, your hot water heater will be ready to help your guests have warm water this holiday season. For more information, contact a professional like First Class Plumbing of Florida Inc.
