Electric Water Heater Maintenance
If you own an electric water heater, the following instructions will definitely aid you in performing proper water heater maintenance. Electric water heater maintenance should be done with caution using proper safeguards. You should read the owners’ manual before you attempt to perform any maintenance activities.
Start by turning off the power supply from the breaker box. The inside of the breaker box should have a proper diagram showing which breaker corresponds to your electric water heater. You should consult with an electrician in case things are not clear at this point. All breakers should be labelled properly as a safety measure.
Once the power supply is off, turn off the feed line valve going into your electric water heater. Next, fix a hose to the drain valve. The drain valve is situated at the bottom near the thermostat. Now turn on a hot water faucet inside the house. This will prevent the vacuum effect when you drain your electric water heater tank. Open the drain valve to begin draining the tank. The other end of the hose should be in a sink or drain to make sure the hot water safely exits your house. You can drain the water outside if a sink is not available nearby. You should open the drain valve gradually to let the hot water drain out. This will ensure that the hose does not leak. In case you find that the hose is leaking, close the valve, re tighten the hose and open the valve again. Wait until all the water drains out.
Once all the water has drained, turn on the feed line while keeping the hose still fixed. This will help remove the sediment deposit left in the water heater tank. Close the feed valve once clear water starts coming out of the hose. You can also close the drain valve now and remove the hose. Let the hose drain out all water before you put it back in. Also remember to close the hot water faucet in the house that you had turned on earlier.
Wait until the tank is full before you turn the heater back on. The element may be damaged if you turn on an electric water heater before the tank is full.
The next step is to test the pressure release valve. Your electric water heater manual will have details regarding this step based on the make and model of your heater. In case you have misplaced the manual, just search online for your particular model and you will find the necessary information.
Proceed to turn on the water heater from the breaker once the tank is completely filled with water. It may take some time for the water to heat back up. Test the pressure release valve and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
This completes the electric water heater maintenance process. The above mentioned directions, if followed properly, will have your electric water heater running like new. Always follow proper safety procedures when working with your water heater. Now you can remove any tools that may be lying around and wipe the area clean of any water that may have spilled.
Even though all information in this post is accurate to the best of our knowledge, it is our strong opinion that only a professional should perform maintenance activities on hot water heaters. Click here to get FREE Water Heater Maintenance Quotes