Water heaters need to be fully inspected and maintained before winter begins. Freezing winter can be very difficult to deal with if you do not have access to warm running water in your home or commercial premises. One way of making sure you have an uninterrupted supply of warm water is for you to obtain professional maintenance services from a recognized HVAC service provider. Once a professional has inspected your water heater, you will be informed if it needs any repairs or parts replaced.
We want you to understand how the professionals perform their maintenance services so you can get maximum utility whenever your water heater undergoes maintenance.
Identify The Water Heater
The first step towards water heater maintenance is to identify the make and model of your water heater. Manufacturers design and build their water heaters differently. Even though their functions remain similar, the mechanism and the parts used in water heaters usually differ by their manufacturers. This is essential to understand, as certain parts for one water heater may not be compatible with another water heater. It’s very important to know the exact make and model of your water heater in order to provide proper maintenance and repair.
Identify The Power Source (Gas / Electric)
After the water heater is properly identified, it’s necessary for the maintenance service provider to identify whether it works on gas or electricity, even though both energy sources perform the same function. Their mechanism and functionality are different as there are wirings for electric heaters and a burner for the gas water heaters. There are different maintenance practices for both types of water heaters and therefore it is essential to know before the maintenance is performed.
Cut Energy Supply
Once the service provider has all the information they need, they will start by cutting off the energy supply for both gas and electric water heaters. This way, the maintenance process will be safer, and there will be no risk of any hazard while the maintenance is under progress. It’s also essential to find any leaks that are near the water heater before the energy supply is restricted.
Closing Of Valves
After cutting off the energy supply, the pressure valve should be released, so there is no pressurized hot water in the heater before the service providers drain the heaters. This stage is dangerous as well, as there could be hot water trapped inside, and any amateur approach will have devastating effects on both the user and the water heater. It’s always best to have a professional perform this type of work.
Drain The Water
After carefully checking the valves, the main tank of the water heater must be emptied with a continuous flow. You can save this water with a bucket so it can be used again. However, there will be traces of sediments present, which are stored in the tank of the water heater. It’s recommended to replace this water rather than reusing it.
Check The Gas Pressure And Valves For Leaks
Once the tank is drained, the water heater should be cleaned thoroughly. This is where the professionals will check the gas pressure, the burner, wirings and circuits of the heater. After the energy flow is verified, they will check for any leaks of water or gas. This is the stage when any repairs or changing of parts will be done as well. After this process is complete, the water heater will be ready for use again. Just fill-up the tank, check the valves and initiate the energy source. You are now ready to enjoy a fully functional water heater this winter.
Nor-Can Heating & Air offers full HVAC services including complete water heater maintenance and repair. Visit our website or call us now for a free service quote.
