One More Reason to Keep Your Water Heater Clean and Running … 50 Gallons of free, fresh water in case of emergency!
Water Heater Tips
Over time, sediment such as sand, grit, calcium and iron can settle to the bottom of a water heater, causing problems for the heater. For one, enough buildup can affect the efficiency of the water heater, which costs you money.
If that weren’t enough reason to clean your heater, how about this? Your Water Heater holds enough water to sustain your family in cases of emergency for long periods of time. You need it to be clean!
One aspect of your water heater that is often overlooked is its ability to provide 40-50 gallons of fresh water in case of an emergency. In the Hampton Roads area, a hurricane would most likely be the reason for needing this backup water supply. If too much sediment has built up inside the water heater , the water may be contaminated and unsafe to drink. Maintaining a potable (drinkable) water supply for your family is not rocket science, though, and even the most amateur do-it-yourselfer can do this. If you run into problems or questions, the finest experts on water heaters Newport News Va has to offer will help you out.
To get rid of the sediment at the bottom of the water heater, it needs to be “flushed” out every one to three years.
Tips Provided by A-1 American, the Water Heater Experts:
- First, turn off the power source if using an electric water heater. You should find this in the circuit breaker.
- Second, turn off the cold water supply to prevent more water from coming into the tank.
- Next, attach a garden hose to the drain valve, which can be found at the bottom of the heater.
- Now, you just need to put the water into something.
- Be careful. The water will be very, very hot unless it was allowed to cool overnight, so be careful!
- To actually release the water, open the pressure relief valve so the water will flow (this valve is often at the top of the water heater).
- Continue draining the water until the water exiting the water heater h is clear. If done regularly (every one to three years), the water coming out of the tank should be drinkable, sustaining your family with a large water supply during a hurricane or other emergency.
- Retrace your steps. Now that we’ve made sure there is no sediment buildup in the water heater, you just need to retrace your steps to get the tank running properly again.
- Close the drain valve, remove the garden hose, and turn off the pressure relief valve.
- Next, turn the water supply back on and let the water heater fill up.
- Once full, you may slowly reopen the pressure valve to let excess pressure out, but be sure to close it fully afterwards.
- Now is when you can turn the power back on if using an electrical heater.
- After about 20 minutes, make sure you can get hot water throughout your home. Check the faucets in your kitchen and bathrooms.
- Now you have 40-50 Gallons of fresh water in an emergency!
Flushing your water heater regularly allows it to run more efficiently, saving you money. In case of emergency, it can be your family’s drinking water until local utility companies can get the city water turned back on.
If you need water heater repair or replacement and are looking for the best plumbers Virginia Beach has to offer, or anywhere in Hampton Roads, you can count on A-1 American Services for fast 24/7 emergency service.
Call us today: Southside 757-425-2400 Peninsula 757-595-9900 Williamsburg 757-565-1900
Sources: wikihow.com; diynetwork.com
