There are circumstances when people come across situations where they have to tackle unwanted things. For instance, assume that you have to take shower in a cold winter evening as you are getting ready to attend a party but there is no warm water available at that time; then you would understand the importance of water heater and how much complimentary is it for your home. Tank water heaters are domestic/commercial appliances that come with a cylindrical container to preserve water at warm temperatures. Water heaters are often used for preserving warm water to be consumed for cooking, laundry, or shower etc. You would often find them installed in the closets, garages, pantries etc. and are powered by an energy source like electricity or gas. Although the water heaters look very safe and secure, if a problem is left unattended then it can surely cause damage to your home and your family as well. Although a water heater is an integral part of our homes these days like people used to warm the water in the pots over burners in the old days, it doesn’t imply that you should leave it unattended or do not follow safety precautions. In this blog, we will discuss the safety precautions that must be taken care of if you have installed a water heater at home. Keep reading the blog till the end to find out the top 5 water heater safety tips. Feel free to provide your feedback on these tips and do let us know if you think we have missed a crucial one. Your suggestions would be highly regarded.
Make Sure Your Water Heater is Properly Ventilated
If the vents are placed improperly with the drafts and with the defunct vents lies a threat that the fumes of smoke may enter the home instead of ventilating outside. Since the process of ventilation is quite technical, one must make it very clear that the vents are free of dips, and the fumes go upwards and outside instead of moving up and down. Also, the diameter of dips should also be the same as that of the tank’s diverter. Furthermore, make sure that the vents are appropriately screwed in, particularly in the areas that are considered earthquake zones.
Routinely Test Your Temperature/Pressure Relief Valve
Temperature and pressure are the two directly related values and they must be observed very keenly. The temperature and pressure relief valves are designed to keep your water heater from exploding if either of the value exceeds safety limit. Since the domestic valves have a higher tendency of failure, therefore, it is suggested to test the valves at least once every season. Valves could be tested by pulling up on the handle. Make sure that the water is flowing smoothly once you pull the handle and stops right away when you release it. If you observe that the water flow is very mild or limited to a few drops then the valve needs replacement. Also, make sure that the drain lines are going downwards and outside and not the opposite. A valve with such faults may end up causing catastrophic combustion and explosion can lead to extensive damage to your home or even worse. Injuries or fatalities may also incur as a result of such a devastating explosion.
Remove Fire Hazards Near Your Water Heater
If you have installed a tanked water heater that is powered by gas, then you should keep everything away from it that is combustible. If you have mistakenly put flammable liquid or any such material then there is a chance that it would catch fire. So you should never place anything combustible near the water heater. Refrain from throwing coats, jump ropes, garbage bags, gas cans anywhere close to the heater. It won’t be long before a leak from water tank form chemical reaction with the stuff thrown carelessly and turns into a large explosion that would cause havoc for you ultimately.
Check the Temperature Settings
The water heaters are usually built keeping in view the need of the house. So they are custom-sized tanks to meet the needs of quantity and heating of a house. Improperly sized tanks are more likely to be a danger than properly sized one as the could reach such a level of temperature and pressure that is not safe. If you have recently bought a new home, while the previous owner had placed a new water heater that did not originally come with the house. Then it is suggested that you should have it tested and inspected by a technically sound plumber. If the investigator approves it to be correct for the size of the house then only you should keep it otherwise have it replaced as soon as possible. A safe temperature limit for domestic water heaters is up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Usually, the degrees scale is only available on commercial water heaters, thus you should use a meat thermometer to measure the temperature. Anything above 130 degrees can cause burning, as well as it is a breeding ground for the legionella bacteria.
Install a Carbon Monoxide Monitor
While this is not an all-inclusive list of precautions to take when it comes to your water heater, it is a good place to start. If you feel like your water heater needs an assessment or maintenance, make sure to call NC Water Heaters for all of your water heater needs. We only use quality materials and complete our work efficiently and readily. As mentioned above, an improper water heater ventilation could trigger fume leakage into your home. And if the water heater is a tanked heater that is powered by gas than it is advised to install a carbon monoxide monitor in your home. It is reported by Consumer Product Safety Commission that the Cabon Monoxide which is an odorless and a colourless gas kills around 200 people every year, and the number of infected persons from deadly gas is around 10,000 per year. Carbon monoxide is a potential threat with all combustible appliances and precautionary measures must be carried out very seriously.
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Bottom-line
Although this is not an exclusive list that covers all the aspects of safety, it would surely act as a baseline for carrying out safety measures. If you think that your house’s water heater requires maintenance or even it does not require you should still call out the expert maintainer to come over and run a maintenance test on the heat. Follow the steps mentioned above, you will hopefully be safe from all kinds of dangers that could potentially occur from water heaters. Feel free to provide your feedback in the comments section and do let us know if you ever come across any mishap from the water heater. If so, then what were the mitigation measures you took in order to overcome the loss.
