hot water tank maintence

I was just wondering, if regarding a gas hot water tank if their are any maintence things that need done.

Do you need to clean it, or empty it, anything? I am sure this has been asked before somewhere, so I apologize if I am making you answer the same question twice.

Thank you.

Somewhat depends on how old it is...if you start when it is new, it isn't a bad idea to drain a few gallons out of the thing every year. This will (hopefully) discharge anything that precipitates out of the water accumulating on the bottom of the heater.

Then, and on an "Ask this Old House" episode I just watched a few minutes ago (so take that will a grain of salt), replace or check the sacrificial anode every couple of years. If you do that, it will probably last much longer than normal. But, most people don't do anything to it - they just wait for it to start leaking and replace the whole thing.

Well, one other thing, again, most people don't do this. Replace the TP safety valve maybe every 5 years or so.

It sounds like the well is not in use. One other thing that is recommended, is to open the TP valve at least annually to make sure it CAN open. Now, if it hasn't been done for awhile, it may just not reseal again, so you may consider just replacing it. Also, many water heaters don't last much longer than yours, so watch it for leaks and be prepared. There are several safety devices that will shut off the water if it dectects that the tank is leaking. There are also water detetors that will set off an alarm if they detect water on the floor. These work better if there is a pan under the tank (some require a minimum depth to be activated). Taco makes a device that will both shut off the water and the gas line if it detects water leaking that is totally mechanical. It is a one-shot device. It needs to be replaced if it gets wet. The other, electronic devices can be reset when they dry out again.

maintaince is always good

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/1114920.html

Mark, Went to that news story from San Antonio. Is it just me or does anyone ever notice this happens when a T&P valve is capped off? I don't get it, most of these valves NEVER open or are needed to open.But cap one off and look out Russia ! If no pressure or temp build up is happining to make the t&p open,,,,,why would capping it cause this ???

Maybe they cap them to crank up the heat ??

Cal

cap

The only ones that make the news are the ones that are capped off and the heater malfunctions. There may be hundreds that are capped off without exploding, and more hundreds that the heater malfunctions but the safety valve does work, so they are not newsworthy either. It is when the two things occur on the same heater and some other event happens that it becomes a new item.

when i install a new w.h.

i write on the blanket in magic marker the nearest holliday. i then instruct the homeowner how to flush for 5 min. same holiday once a year. i always install a full port valve on the drain, and junk the original.

i'm afraid if cookie dumps the t+p valve a piece of rust may keep it from closing all the way! service call $$$$. and let's face it many are not plumbed to the outside, as they should be. may be a flooded utility room!

cookie sometimes it's best to let sleeping dogs lie! new years service call could be pricey! good luck and happy new year tool

relief valve

If she had the plumber already, her only extra cost would have been 8 or 10 dollars for the t & p. Probably would have changed it on the service call and not added any more to the labor.

I drained my share of w/h's and thought it was a waste of time.

Fiddle with the relief valve and you might better change it.

Please don't loose faith. Easier said than done though, isn't it?

Take stock in what you have been able to do since you lost your husband.
We all can see how well you have been taking of business.

You will always miss him, but the passage of time helps. Get past the New Year and you will begin to get your act together.

In many years of doing service work, and knowing many people, I think that most women learn how to handle things around the house better than a lot of guys.

Plumber or not, keep that fellow as a friend.

If the heater leaks, it is a good idea to shut off both the power and the water to it. The problem with TP valves is two-fold: it doesn't take much on the seals to allow them to leak - a little piece of rust can do it, and eventually they either clog up with rust/sediment or the spring weakens, and they leak or won't open when you need them to.

So, especially on an older HWH, it is a pot shot of whether testing the valve will require replacing it. Often, gunk gets under the seal from an older tank (rust, etc.) and it cannot seal anymore. Sometimes, if you run some more water out of it, you can flush out that crud, and it will reseal, sometimes not. From a conceptual viewpoint, I guess if you are going to open it, you should open it fully and let the water run for a little bit, you may be more likely to flush all of the accumulated crud out verses trapping it under the seal. But, if the shaft is all corroded or has mineral deposits on it, it may not move back into place enough to allow it to seal again. Opening and closing it may help, but may not. From a safety viewpoint, it is probably a good idea to check it per the instructions. Most people don't. They usually work. How often do you check your GFI outlets? You are supposed to check them monthly, too.

cookie you can vent here anytime !

god bless you and family. if you're in the bay area my son and i will

assist you in any way we can. maybe some other member is in your area.

remember anger is fear. i've had a life of it myself!

god bless tool