Your Water Heater Questions Answered
The team at A Plus Water Heaters has compiled a list of frequently asked questions for our customers in Winnipeg and the surrounding areas. Let us know if you have any other questions about your water heating unit.
FAQ
The team at A Plus Water Heaters has compiled a list of frequently asked questions for our customers in Winnipeg and the surrounding areas. Let us know if you have any other questions about your water heating unit.
How do I know when to replace my tank?
Rumbling sounds, leaks or rust stains, discolored water, more than 10 years old – these could all be signs your tank may soon fail. Don’t wait for a catastrophe; it might be wise to be proactive.
What will you ask me when I call for a service quote?
We will need to know whether it is a gas or electric model, what size it is and the brand name if you want the comparable model. All this information may be found on your rating plate, which is found on the front of your tank.
Should I be flushing my tank?
Yes, at least once a year drain a few gallons out of your drain valve. If you notice a lot of sediment or debris, then a full flush is recommended.
What other maintenance should I be doing?
Keep the tank and area around it reasonably clean. A gas water heater needs a good supply of oxygen to burn the gas. Today’s new units have safety filters which, if obstructed, will shut the unit down. Dust off your vent piping and don’t use the top of your gas water heater for storage; this is all a potential fire hazard. Even if you have an electric tank and it is all cluttered, you may not see small leaks or rust marks until it is too late.
If water is dripping from the open pipe (relief valve) attached to my tank, do I have to change the tank?
The pipe is probably attached to your relief valve. This drip is most commonly caused by sediment build up in the valve. It will also drip if you have your water temperature set to high. The whole tank should not have to be changed in this case.
My tank leaked and caused a lot of damage in my basement, how can I prevent this in the future?
A water heater drip pan piped to your floor drain is the most common solution. Where this is not convenient, automatic water shutoff valves are also available; contact us for more details.