Water Heater Safety Tips: Do's and Don'ts

During the winter season, we felt relieved as we know that the tankless water heaters are present in our homes. Water heaters provide us a hot water in a freezy morning or chilly days. Failure to take care of your water heater system properly can possibly cause an emergency repair or the tankless water heater installation in the future. If ever you had your new water heater system, you would probably want to lengthen the durability of it. Whether you are an active user of a water heater or nor, it is still necessary for you to know what are the general hot water tank maintenance. We will give you tips about water heater maintenance, and the do's and don'ts to bear in mind to keep you and your family's safety will be stated.

Here are the Water Heater Dos and Donts:

• Follow the Guidelines in Temperature - When it comes to everything that we do, the first thing that we should consider first is our safety. So as we all like to use hot water for bathing most especially during the freezy morning, we should set in mind to follow the guidelines given in adjusting the water heater temperature. Keep yourself reminded, and your family members, to always set your water heater to an average degree. Too high temperature can cause severe consequences. Do not exceed until 120 degrees Fahrenheit or else you or your children or whoever in your relatives using the current system could be scalded and might suffer a degree of burn. Again, safety first!
  
• Going for a vacation? Lower the temperature - If you have any plans to go for a holiday, you must assure that you adjust the hot water temperature to its lowest setting. Do not leave it in high setting temperature, by doing this; you will save an amount on your monthly electric bills. As you go for vacation, the possibility of potential water heater related damages can be avoided. Once you get back, turn the setting back up to its normal setting.
  
• Flush and Test Annually - To prevent a future premature water heater tank replacement or contact a water heater repair in Knoxville, you must flush out the water into its drain valve for at least once a year. By this method, the removal of sediment that has build -up into its internal part is easier. Failing to remove the deposits will result from your system to clog.
• Do not leave your children alone - Never allow your children to use the water heater alone. Letting them use the water system without your supervision may hurt your kids.
  
• Combustible materials should be stored - Do not place flammable items 18 inches near the water heater for it may cause an extensive property damage in your house.

Once you have noticed an emergency fixing for your water heating system, call a local plumbing professional immediately, they are experts in this plumbing issues and can give you free quote on  water heater installation cost.

How to Thaw Frozen Pex Pipe

The most common used tool in supporting a water system is the PEX tubing. It has various advantages compared to the copper pipe. It is cheaper, faster to install and it won’t easily be damaged by the sudden change in water temperature. Nevertheless, the extreme cold can harm the pipe causing it to freeze up. In this case, you can do something on your own first without calling a plumber.

Here are the steps on how to thaw a frozen PEX pipe:

• Identify the location of the frozen pipe - Check all the faucets if it is working or not. If you find the exceptions to all the functioning faucets, look at the pipe connected to it and confirm the current condition of it.
  
• Determine if there are cracks and leaks -  The severe cold water can cause the pipe to break. There’ll be a high probability of leakage after melting the pipe so make sure that it does not have a cut or a split. If it is negative for a crack, then proceed to the next step. However, If it does have a crack, turn off all the faucets and the main water supply and call for a residential plumbing service and have your pipes be replaced.
  
• Search for the particular section of the pipe - To locate the exact scope in the pipe, you can use different tools such as an infrared thermometer to measure the temperature or a solid object to tap the pipe. Do not put a hard pressure into the tapping. The pipe might get cracked, and it’ll result in a leakage.
• Open the faucets - Turn on the faucets slightly that are in line with the pipe and those that are not because the running water could help in melting the frozen pipe.
  
• Warm up the pipe - One of the simplest ways to do this is to use a blow dryer to decrease the temperature of the cold water but be careful and do not point it out directly to the pipe because it might be a source of a breach. Heated towels can also be used. Wrap the towels around the tube, and it’ll bring warmth to the selected area in the pipe.

Do not be at ease though you are using a PEX pipe. Its good points should not be a reason to let your guard down and it might be a seldom situation, but you always need to be alert and aware of the necessary actions that you must do. If you are in a dilemma, seek the help of professionals. When it comes to this kind of service, and especially if you are a resident in America and live near Tennessee, the plumbers in Knoxville offers their entire services which include repairs, plumbing system remodeling and other assistance. It is crucial to consult first with someone who has a lot of knowledge about plumbing before taking any action. It will also help to prevent terrible accidents and injuries. Research is also recommended. Nonetheless, be sure to follow the procedures stated above and do not be reckless.