Few modern conveniences are more taken for granted than hot water. And most of the time, the tank that provides it can be taken for granted too. But there are two routine chores that must be done from time to time if you want it to do its job efficiently--and safely. One is clearing the tank of sediment; the other is checking the tank's relief valve.
Sediment--the result of rusty or alkaline impurities in many areas--comes into the hot-water tank from the water main. If it accumulates inside the tank, it blocks the transmission of heat to the water and wastes energy. But sediment settles near the bottom of the tank and is easily drawn off through a drain valve.
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How often the tank needs draining depends upon the composition of the water and the condition of the tank. Experiment by checking every month until you establish a cycle that allows no more than a pailful of cloudy water to accumulate between drawings.
The other maintenance chore--checking the water heater's relief valve--is a safety measure. The valve is designed to backstop the thermostat. In the unlikely--but not impossible--event that the thermostat should malfunction and permit the temperature to rise to a dangerous level, the valve will open automatically and release the overheated water before it can boil into steam and cause an explosion. To be sure that the valve is in working condition, make a simple test.
In a typical heater, the safety valve is on top, controlled by a probe beneath it, inside the tank. The probe automatically trips the valve if the temperature or pressure inside the heater exceeds safe limits. Once a season, lift the handle on top of the valve. The overflow pipe below it should not expel hot water; if it does not, replace the valve at once.
Proper Care For a Hot Water Heater CARE IMPROVEMENT
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