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DIY Water Heater Installation: Common Mistakes
Doing a DIY water heater installation is good, but keep in mind to avoid these mistakes. Best Plumbing Service provides all sorts of plumbing services, including awareness about plumbing techniques and information. Nowadays, many people are learning how to make house improvements themselves rather than hiring specialists because of the wealth of knowledge available online. DIY is a fantastic choice, especially if you are an adventurous person and love to fix issues in the household system. Saving money is one of the advantages and benefits of the DIY approach. Cutting shortcuts, nevertheless, occasionally results in higher prices overall. This happens because you may end up making some mistakes while installing the water heater on your own, which may result in you paying extra to get it fixed.DIY Water Heater Installation: Common Mistakes
Choosing an Incorrect Size of Water Heater
Between 30 and 80 gallons can be found in tank water heaters. The size you need depends on how much hot water you consume and how many people live in your home. If you get a water heater that is too tiny, it will be inadequate, and you will frequently run out of hot water. A tank that is too large will force you to continually heat water that you don’t really require, costing you money on your monthly energy bill.Incorrect Pipe Soldering
When installing a water heater on your own, one of the most frequent errors made by people is soldering the pipes. To set up a connection, the pipes must be soldered to the tank and water line, but many users practice soldering the pipes too near to the tank. The water tanks are part of a larger ensemble that includes numerous plastic fittings. These plastic parts are susceptible to melting and destruction when a propane torch is too close, rendering the tank useless. Before soldering pipes, make sure to detach the pipe nipples from the tank. Make an extension section that will be kept far enough from the tank as feasible. After that, let the pipes cool completely before reattaching them. By doing this, the plastic fittings should avoid melting.Use of Incompatible Metal Connections
Another common mistake is installing a water heater with mismatched metal connections. Some individuals don’t think that connections between incompatible metals are problematic. However, doing so results in a join that has a significant failure risk. The rate of metal corrosion will increase dramatically. You’ll face significantly more severe issues if corrosion takes place. Choose connectors made of the same metal as your pipes to prevent corrosion. Utilize copper connectors if your water pipes are made of copper (brass connectors are compatible with copper as well). Instead, if you utilize copper pipes with galvanized steel nipples, the result will be a dielectric union fitting since the metals are incompatible. Your water heater’s lifespan will be shortened by the inevitable corrosion, which will cause water leaks. The cost of having the necessary fittings in the first place would have been far less than the harm that would have resulted to your heater and your property.Fitting the Water Heater at a Dangerous Location
The location of your water heater is crucial for ensuring its efficacy, convenience, and safety. Tank water heater placement may be forbidden or limited according to the local code. Don’t assume that the same location will work if you’re replacing an older water heater because newer versions are wider and more efficient at insulating. A knowledgeable plumber will ensure that the water heater has adequate access and ventilation space.Wrongfully Installing Relief Valve
The relief valve, a safety element of the typical water heater, regulates the water’s pressure and temperature. Your water tank may explode if this crucial component isn’t installed correctly, splashing anyone nearby with boiling hot water. This is why it’s so crucial to install the relief valve properly! The relief valve, which can automatically open and release internal pressure, is visible on the side of the tank, about 6 inches above the floor. Connect a threaded drain tube to the valve outlet to secure your safety. Then, to keep you and the tank safe from any unanticipated discharge, this line should be directed to the floor.Leaving the Tank Without a Drain Pan
To collect any water that might leak or escape from a tank water heater, one must place the drain pans underneath the heater. The drain pan should have corrosion-resistant components. Also, iit needs to be at least 1.5 in higher and 2 in broader than the tank water heater’s dimensions. Your chances of experiencing water damage in the coming years can escalate if you do not install the drain pipe or if its measurements are incorrect.Not Complying with Relevant Safety Precautions
Overlooking crucial safety precautions is among the numerous heater installation errors that individuals frequently commit. The propensity to dry fire the tank is one illustration of this. This method entails turning on the water heater before allowing the tank to fill with water. By doing this, you run the risk of burning out the electric heating elements. Dry firing the tank of a gas-fired heater may result in a break. Before starting the tank, turn on the water faucets in your house and wait for a continuous flow of water to keep your tank dry fried. You must follow other such safety precautions.Conclusion
In all, DIY water heater installation isn’t bad. Nonetheless, you should keep the DIY Water Heater Installation mistakes that we have mentioned above in mind at all costs. You should avoid them as well. This will ensure better functioning of your water heater and that your water heater lasts longer.Contact Us
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