Fundamentals of Water Heater Repair
Your water heater powers your dishwasher, laundry and the hot showers you crave after a long day. But it may need repair or replacement if you are experiencing problems. Contact Water Heater Repair Denver for professional help.
If you have no hot water, check the circuit breaker and press the high-temperature reset button on the upper thermostat. Also, drain the tank and clean the inlet air screen and thermocouple if you have a gas unit.
It’s important to remember that water heater repairs should only be done by qualified professionals. It’s not only safer, but it also ensures that the problem is accurately diagnosed and fixed correctly. Water heaters operate under high temperatures and pressure, so any errors can be dangerous. In addition, many of the steps involved in hot water heater repair require dealing with natural gas, which should only be handled by trained professionals.
The first step of any water heater repair is turning off the gas supply. It’s essential that this be done before you start working on your water heater, as the improper turn-on of a gas line can result in a gas leak.
Once the gas is turned off, the next step is removing the access panel and securing any wires that might be in the way. Once the access panel is removed, it’s time to remove the old thermostat. When replacing the thermostat, make sure you get one of the same model and size as the original. Then, screw it into place and connect the electrical wiring. After the new thermostat is installed, it’s time to reconnect the power at the breaker box and test its function using a circuit tester.
If the thermostat is not displaying any error codes, you’re ready to re-start your hot water heater. Remember to not turn the temperature above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, as this can cause scalding water in your home.
For the most part, talking thermostats are pretty reliable and can last up to 10 years before needing to be replaced. However, it’s important to perform regular maintenance on your thermostat to keep it running in a healthy condition. Keeping it clean and free of debris can help prolong its life span. Another way to extend your thermostat’s life is by flushing the tank regularly (do this every few months) and utilizing an anode rod, especially in hard-water areas. This will keep the elements in the water heater from getting corroded, which is one of the main causes of water heater failures. These simple steps can prevent costly repairs down the road.
Element
Over the course of a water heater’s lifespan, heating elements often corrode or wear out. When this happens, the element can no longer properly heat the water inside the tank, leading to problems like lukewarm or even cold water. In order to fix this problem, you’ll need to replace the heating element. Fortunately, these parts are not very expensive, and they’re relatively easy to replace on your own.
To begin the process, shut off power to the electric water heater by turning off the circuit breaker or fuse that powers it. You’ll also want to disconnect the water supply piping that delivers water to your heater. Once the water heater is completely drained and disconnected from all electrical sources, remove the screws that hold the element to its square base. Once the element is exposed, use a multi-tester to check its ohm resistance value. If you get a positive reading, it’s time to replace the old element with a new one.
If you don’t have a multi-tester, simply look closely at the current element and find out its voltage and wattage rating. You’ll usually be able to find this information on a data plate attached to the water heater. Using this information, pick out the proper replacement and test it again with your multi-tester. Once you’re sure it matches your specific heater, connect the new element and screw it into place. Some repair kits include a gasket, so you won’t have to worry about installing this part separately.
If you have a screw-in type of heater, thread the new element clockwise into its opening with a ratchet wrench and 1 1/2-inch socket. Once the new element is in place, use a rag to clean the opening where the gasket fastens, then install a fresh gasket over it and tighten it with a socket wrench. Afterward, install the element’s mounting screws and close up the tank. Turn the power back on and connect the wires to their proper connections. Open your taps to see if your new element has successfully heated the water.
Dip Tube
A water heater’s dip tube is a small but vital component that keeps cold and hot water separated in the tank. Located near the cold water inlet, the dip tube delivers water to the bottom of the tank and ensures that hot water rises above cold, avoiding mixing. In addition, it helps prevent the buildup of sediment and mineral deposits in the tank. When a dip tube breaks or fails, cold and hot water can mix in the tank, leading to lukewarm showers.
Like any plumbing fixture, the lifespan of a dip tube is impacted by factors like age, water quality, and manufacturing defects. A well-maintained dip tube can last up to 10-15 years before requiring replacement. Performing regular maintenance and inspections can help extend its life and reduce the risk of problems.
Visually inspect the dip tube for cracks, holes, or other signs of deterioration. Pay special attention to the areas where it connects to the tank inlet and outlet, as these areas are prone to wear and corrosion. Also, regularly check the dip tube for clogs or obstructions. If you find these or other signs of failure, it’s important to call in a professional plumber for water heater repair.
In addition to visual inspection, conduct temperature and pressure tests to assess your water heater’s performance. If you notice that your water is not as hot or the pressure is low, it may be time to replace the dip tube.
When replacing the dip tube, make sure to use a high-quality plastic model that can withstand frequent contact with water temperatures and impurities. You can purchase a replacement dip tube online or at your local hardware store. Before you replace the dip tube, close the drain valve on your water heater and disconnect the hose. You can also open the pressure relief valve and turn it counter-clockwise to remove any remaining water in the tank. Then, carefully push the new tube in until it is flush with the top of the tank and the curve of the tube points down. If you notice that it doesn’t fit correctly, check for a mark on the tube that indicates its intended direction.
Pressure Valve
When water heats up it expands, and this expansion can cause the tank to build up pressure inside. When the pressure gets too high, a safety valve, known as the pressure-relief valve, is activated to release steam and hot water and lower the temperature of the water heater. The pressure-relief valve is an important safety feature that can prevent a burst water heater and flooded home.
The Pressure Relief Valve is a spring-loaded valve, with an internal mechanism that can reduce pressure within the system to a set point, usually 50 pounds per square inch (psi). The internal mechanism of the valve uses a reference force element which acts to close the disc of the inner mechanism when pressure forces on the device exceed the force of the reference spring. Typically the adjustment screw on top of the valve can be tightened or loosened to change the amount of compression applied by the reference force element, thus changing the expected pressure at which the valve will open to allow fluid to flow through.
As the system pressure rises, the spool of the relief valve disengages and releases a controlled amount of fluid to bypass to the reservoir, lowering the system pressure back to the relief valve setting. The spool is then re-seated by the spring and the pressure in the primary circuit drops to normal.
Typical reference force elements used for this application are Buna-N elastomers, but other materials can be used with proper consideration to the operating temperature range of the valve and the system fluid. The valve may also have an optional seal which must be compatible with the fluid and operate at the expected temperatures for the valve application.
Before attempting any water heater repair, shut off the power supply to the appliance by flipping the circuit breaker, and turn off the cold water supply valve at the house to stop the flow of water into the tank. Drain the water heater by opening the drain valve and connecting a hose to it, then directing the hose to a suitable drainage location. After the tank is drained, disconnect the electrical wiring connected to the heating element. Remove the faulty heating element and replace it, being careful not to damage the threads on the new one. Install the new pressure-relief valve and attach it to the discharge pipe, if any is used. Then reconnect the electrical wires and restore the power to the water heater.