How to Keep your Gas-Powered Water Heater in Good Steam?

A hot water bath is among the most soothing experiences after a tough day at work, or a long trek. It would be sheer horror were the heater to surrender to the processes of wear and tear just as you were sliding into your bath, wouldn’t it? Here are a few tips that ensure it stays in good repair through the year, and double its lifespan.

Know Your Heater

There are Two Types:

• Tankless: These heat the water as it flows through a pipe through the heater, giving you instant hot water. With good maintenance, these last for 20 years.
• Tank-based: These heat stored water, which you can then use to run a bath. These usually last less as long, about 12 years or so.

Service Frequency

A gas-powered water heater, once safely installed, can be ignored for years together. However, most manufacturers and plumbers recommend a full service once every two years (sooner if you deal with hard water).

Things to Check

When you call in a plumber (or a service agency), make sure they check two things (known in earlier times as a geyser).

The Temperature and Pressure Valves

At 100°C, water begins to boil and steam builds up in the tank. The pressure valve ensures that excess water is released to bring down the pressure and prevent the tank from exploding.

If it needs replacement, ensure you call in a qualified technician to do it, but you can check it yourself from time to time.

Here’s How to Make a Check:

• Put on gloves, long pants and closed-toed shoes, so you don’t run the risk of being scalded
• Remove everything from under the tank (it is never a good idea to keep anything under it anyway)
• Switch on and let the water heat up
• Stand as far back as possible
• Release the valve slowly to let out a little water from the end of the pipe (it could be at 80°C, remember)
• After a few minutes, close the valve

If it flows smoothly when you open the valve, and if it stops flowing once you close it, no problem. But if it doesn’t flow correctly, or pours out of the valve even after you close, it’s time to call the plumber.

The Sacrificial Anode:

As the water is heating, a number of impurities react with the lining of the tank, causing it to erode and spoil its insulation. For this, storage tank water heaters have a ‘sacrificial anode’, which attracts these impurities and reacts with them.

It needs to be replaced often — your manufacturer will have specified how often. If you ignore it, the rod will have been consumed, the impurities will start react with the lining and soon your heater is kaput. If your area receives hard water, it just makes it worse.

Signs Your Water Heater isn’t Working Well

You Smell Gas:

This means big trouble. Turn off the gas mains if it’s safe to do so (you may not know where gas is leaking from). Turn off all other heating devices (kitchen stoves, gas-based home heating systems) and call your service agency or plumber. It also helps to switch off the electrical mains.

Temperature in Your Tankless Heater Fluctuates:

Ordinarily, it shouldn’t, compared to a storage tank system. You might have hot water which suddenly runs cold mid-shower, only for it to turn scalding hot a minute later giving you nasty burns. This means the thermostat isn’t working.

Your Pressure Valve (PTR )is Leaking:

If water is almost constant pouring out of the release outlet, it means that pressure is probably not building up in the tank, so the water is not being heated while draining energy. The temperature/pressure valve may need replacing.

These checks will ensure that you have a regular supply of hot water whether you’re in the mood for a quick shower or a long bath. Going further and ensuring that a complete service has been done once every few years will keep repair bills low, making those baths more enjoyable.