Water heaters are one of the most frequently used appliances in the home. As such, they often fall victim to signs of overuse, commonly caused by a lack of routine maintenance. There are many ways to prolong the life of the water heater, in addition to keeping the home safe.
Maintaining the water pressure within the tank water heater is extremely important. Water pressure that is too high is one of the most common causes for a leaky or burst hot water tank. To prevent this expensive and potentially damaging problem, they recommend maintaining a water pressure between 50 and 60 PSI.
Pressure relief valve
Every water heater should have a safety feature called a temperature and pressure relief valve (T&PRV). If the pressure builds up too much inside the tank, the T&PRV automatically releases water to reduce the pressure.
Users can perform the test by putting a bucket underneath the discharge tube
It’s a good idea to test the T&PRV to make sure it’s working properly, as it can get filled with sediment or become stuck over time. Users can perform the test by putting a bucket underneath the discharge tube and flipping the handle of the valve.
If it opens and water flows out smoothly, then everything is working well. If water doesn’t come out, call a plumber to repair or replace the T&PRV, which can reduce the chance of dangerous pressure build-up.
Hot water heater
For the majority of households, the water heater should be set at a maximum temperature of 120ºF. This helps to prevent burns and scalds, which can be extremely hazardous. If the water heater is set to higher than 120ºF, it could trigger the T&PRV to release water and bring the temperature down to a safer level. Also, when the hot water tank is set to a high temperature, it can be more prone to malfunction.
These two methods to maintaining a healthy hot water heater are important to remember when conducting your routine appliance checks. If the hot water heater isn’t working properly or users are experiencing causes for concern such as water leaking from the unit, a lack of hot water, low water pressure, or interesting noises coming from the hot water heater, give Pratt Plumbing a call so they can troubleshoot the problem and get things running effectively and safely again.