Like any other essential equipment, regular maintenance of your electric water heater is a must to keep it in the right shape. Some TLC keeps the water heater durable however, to maintain the longevity of your water heater, you have to take care of it every 6 months. If it is not taken care of properly then it will result in the water heater depreciation life which will cost a lot.
Not always it is necessary to call out the professionals, you can follow some DIY steps.
How to Perform DIY Water Heater Maintenance? (Tank Heater)
For a diy water heater enclosure, all you have to do is follow some simple steps using props that are easily available at home.
You will need
- Pipe Wrench
- Bucket
- Water Hose
- Screwdriver (flathead)
- Socket Wrench with a 1-1/16 inches head
Read More: Battery Operated Heaters
How to do it?
The first thing that you have to do is check the pressure valve which can easily be found in both electric and gas heaters. In case it is not working right, it could be dangerous as the pressure can make the tank explode.
1. For checking its functionality
- Turn off the electric supply of the water heater and gas valve (if it has).
- Shut off the water inlet supply.
- Put a bucket underneath to release the pressure and valve’s discharge.
- Pull the lever of the calve trip if it is working right. There would not be any air in the water vapor. See if the water and the vapors are coming through to pressure relied in on not then you need to replace the water tank.
2. Flush out the tank
The sediments are more likely to be built up in your water heater tank that causes low activity and clog your unit. You need to flush out your water heater regularly.
- Turn off the gas and electric supply of your water heater.
- Turn off the cold water inlet.
- To drain, connect a hose to the valve and place the hose in any container for safe drainage of water.
- Release the pressure by opening the valve.
- Open the drain valve and let the hot water drain out of the tank and close it.
- Close the pressure valve and remove the hose.
- Locate the fixture and open all of them that are connected to the hot water lines of your home’s water supply.
- Turn the cold water inlet on. When the water begins to flow from the hot water, close them.
- Reconnect all the electric and gas supplies to the unit and make it back like it was.
For external protection, there is a decorative hot water heater cover available that prevents dust on the external side of your unit. Also, they are good for the hiding water heater.
How to Hide Water Heater?
If you are using a conventional water heater then obviously it takes a lot of space due to the tank. However, there are a variety of ways to hide a hot water heater. One of them is to specify the hot water heater cabinet where it can easily be hidden and covered as well.
The water heater cabinet is usually rendered with wood. For tankless water heaters, there is a cabinet for water heater that is either built-in in the bathroom or somewhere near the power supply (water/gas).
