Chicago Water Heaters | Is Your Hot Water Heater A Ticking Time Bomb?
When was the last time you took a good look at your hot water heater? When did you last drain it? Oh, you weren’t aware that you had to drain it? How old is that tank in your basement? All Chicago water heaters need to be inspected and maintained, when was the last time your’s was? If you don’t know the answers to any of these questions … you may be in trouble.
What Do You Mean By Time Bomb When Discussing Chicago Water Heaters?
Well, simply put, over time Chicago water heaters can break down and cause damage to your home. While the chance of your unit exploding through your roof may be slim, it can happen. A more likely scenario is that your tank can spring a leak and cause serious water damage. However, if homeowners are not proactive about maintaining their Chicago water heaters, they can explode and cause devastating damage to a home.
How To Prevent A Water Heater From Exploding:
- Keep your temperature down. The higher you set the temperature, the more bad things can happen. Scalding water can burn skin and damage dishes. Chicago water heaters that are set too high have a greater chance of exploding and can have a significantly shorter lifespan. It is imperative that you never set your water heater’s temperature above 180˚. To be on the safe side, simply keep your temperature set to around 125˚.
- Check the operation of your PT valve periodically. A PT valve is a pressure / temperature valve. This valve is triggered when too much pressure builds up in water heaters. When the pressure exceeds safe operation, the valve will automatically release pressure from the tank. Test your PT valve every 3 months or at least once a year.
How To Prevent Chicago Water Heaters From Leaking:
- Drain that tank. You must drain your tank to increase the lifespan of water heater. This can be done once a month if you like, or every 6 months. Be sure to refer to your manual to verify how often you should drain your water heater, and the procedure for doing so.
- Check all valves & connections. If you have already found water by your tank do some preliminary checking before assuming the worst. Is the leak coming from the drainage valve or the water connections to your unit? If so, tighten them and see if that does the job. Is there water by the PT valve? This means that your unit is reaching an unsafe temperature or is malfunctioning. Call a professional that has experience in repairing Chicago hot water heaters. If the leak is coming out of the bottom, or the top, chances are good that you need to replace your unit.
Chicago Hot Water Heaters: Maintenance, Repair & Installation
If you truly want your hot water heater to last a long time, not leak, and not explode for that matter, it is best to have maintenance performed on it once a year. The minimal cost of a draining and inspection is worth it considering the alternatives. If you are interested in have your water heater inspected, are in need of a repair, or are looking to install a new one contact the experts at Polar Heating and Air Conditioning today.
