The hot water heater is something that is really never thought of, until you get into the shower and nothing comes out of the showerhead except ice water and then you know it’s time for hot water heater repair in Chicago. This experience can be avoided with a little knowledge about the water heater and a few maintenance and repair tips.
What is a hot water heater?
A water heater is a basic device, not much more than a tank that heats water and keeps it hot until there is a demand. A water heater only needs four things for it to work:
- A heat source, usually a gas flame or an electric immersion heater
- A thermostat to keep the temperature as you like it
- A cold water supply
- A hot water system running to the outlet taps
Although these four things are all that are necessary, the hot water heater has a vent and a pressure relief valve for safety, an anode that helps to prevent corrosion, a dip tube that sends cold water to the heating area and a drain.
Although there may be issues associated with water heater repair Chicago that the homeowner may not be comfortable with but anyone can drain the heater, flush it and test the pressure relief valve.
Hot water heater maintenance:
If the tank is periodically drained, the water will smell fresher and any sediment from the bottom of the tank will be eliminated. Draining the tank is simple; turn the temperature down and let the tank sit for a couple of hours to cool. Shut off the cold water supply, connect a section of hose to the drain and run it to a floor drain or the washtubs. Open any hot water faucet in the system; this lets air into the tank, now open the valve. Once the water has drained, turn the supply on and off a couple of times, this will flush any remaining sediment from the bottom of the tank. When the water runs clear, shut the drain valve, remove the hose, open the cold water supply, turn the faucet off and turn the temperature setting back to normal on the thermostat.
Basic hot water heater repair in Chicago:
Problem: No hot water.
This is usually an issue of the flame in the heater having gone out or the thermostat has failed. If the pilot light has gone out, re-light it. Follow the instructions in the owner’s hand-book to re-light the pilot.
Problem: Not enough hot water.
Usually this is the result of sediment building up in the bottom of the tank, reducing the volume of available water. Flushing and cleaning the tank will solve this problem.
Problem: The water smells.
This is caused by a build-up of bacteria. Drain some water from the tank and introduce some hydrogen peroxide through the cold water inlet. Run water through all the taps in the house, including the washing machine. Keep the water temperature above 150 degrees F, this will ensure that no further bacteria will grow.
ELM Heating & Cooling provides water heater repair in Chicago for all makes. With their fleet of mobile workshops same day repairs are normal for the skilled and experienced technicians.
