Importance of water heater maintenance

Access to hot and cold water is one of the main attributes of home comfort. But there is no centralized hot water supply in Canada for the most part, so virtually every home today is forced to resort to installing water heaters.

The key to a long and uninterrupted operation of the boiler is to follow the rules of operation and regular maintenance. Otherwise, the probability of appliance failure increases significantly. To avoid unscheduled heater repair in Toronto, let’s understand all the subtleties of its maintenance.

Tips for using the water heater

When used properly, a quality water heater can work steadily for up to 15 years. To extend the life of the boiler will help to comply with the following instructions:

• Set the operating temperature of the appliance between 55-60℃.  This mode prevents a reduction in heating element performance and minimizes scaling, while still keeping the water hot enough for dishwashing and personal hygiene routines.
• Disconnect the boiler from the power supply only if you do not plan to use it in the next 3 days or longer, otherwise the wear and tear of the equipment will not justify the economic benefits.
• Do not drain the water under any circumstances after turning off the power – this will reduce the risk of rusting.
• Periodically warm the unit to 90℃ to prevent bacterial growth in the tank.

Also, do not forget about the maintenance of the boiler, which includes a complete drainage of water, cleaning the heating element and replacement of the magnesium anode. A licensed plumber can perform these procedures in Toronto.

Cleaning the water heater – causes of sediment accumulation and maintenance intervals

To avoid frequent repairs to your Toronto water heater, it should be cleaned annually. The appearance of scales is usually signaled by a hydrogen sulfide odor from the water, noise and hum during the operation of the boiler, yellowish or rusty shade of liquid, frequent switching on and off the device for no apparent reason and too long process of heating it to a predetermined temperature.

Specialists have identified a number of causes that contribute to the formation of a solid scum on the heating elements and walls of the boiler:

• Excessive heating – at a temperature of 65-70℃ lime deposits appear faster
• hard water with a high salt content, as well as other impurities and particles
• Frequent use of the heater – if you shower several times a day, you should service the appliance at least once every 6 months.

Boiler cleaning includes flushing the walls of the tank, heating elements and immersion tube. In case of heavy contamination, you may need to dismantle the device. To do it on their own – not easy even for professionals who understand the appliance. Therefore, in neglected cases, it is recommended to call a plumber in Toronto – they will quickly and efficiently fix the unit and provide maintenance recommendations.