An appliance which is so important in our daily life, water heaters can get overused sometimes due to the frequent uses. Even if you are among the people who meticulously take care of their house and appliances, you still might have overheating issues at some point.
Reasons for overheating
1. Sediment accumulation
The most common reason for overheating is the sediment accumulation at the surface of the heating units. It is also known as calcification. Due to this issue, the heater slows down, loses the initial productivity. Although this regular wear and tear are inevitable, the lack of maintenance will weaken the unit even more and the expected life will decrease.
2. Thermostat malfunction
Thermostat malfunction may lead the water heaters to go suddenly and extremely hot. Since the thermostat controls the off and on cycle of a water heater, any malfunction in this triggers the other processes and disrupts the overall functions, resulting in the overheating issue.
3. High mineral content
High mineral content is another overlooked and passive way a water heater loses a lot of its life expectancy. Some of the unfiltered minerals in the water deter the function of the system. This can affect the overheating as well as the other factors. Besides, this high mineral content eventually develops residue and sediment build-up which affects the unit over time anyways. That is why regular cleanup is highly recommended.
4. High level on the temperature
A consistently high level on the temperature of water heaters can result in overheating issues in the long term. Keep the thermostat under the standard and desired level of temperature.
5. Blocked pressure valve
A blocked pressure valve creates a pressure of steam that traps the heat inside and makes it hotter than usual. This is a major concern as it can turn the unit prone to accidents and very risky to handle. On top of that, this is responsible for several damages to the heating unit. You may need to seek professional help in such cases.
How to prevent overheating
1. Check the thermostat settings
It is important to check whether or not the thermostat is set at the right temperature. It might seem unnecessary, but people often do not notice that their thermostat is too hot.
It is ideal to keep the temperature of your thermostat within 110F to 125F. This yields the optimal result as of keeping the machine in good condition as well as giving you hot water on demand.
2. Look for any faulty mechanism
In case if you find your thermostat set in ideal temperature yet having the overheating issue, you might have some mechanical problem inside your water heating unit. It is recommended that you get professional maintenance regularly to prevent most of the damage beforehand. Also, it might save you from any sort of accident.
If the internal parts of the machinery are in poor condition, this increases the chances of overheating of your water heaters. Sometimes, calcium sediments that accumulate at the surface of the heaters damage the internal parts. This eventually hampers the performance and leads to an overheating problem. For this reason, the units need to be cleaned and maintained professionally regularly. If not, the heaters will decay sooner than the expected lifetime and might need to replace too early. To avoid any sort of extreme situations like breaking the units or any explosion, check for the faulty mechanisms and get professional maintenance services. The ideal number of checkups and maintenance is suggested once or twice a year.
The average lifetime of a thermostat is generally considered to belong, but due to the regular use, the thermostat starts wearing off little by little. With the help of regular maintenance, the units can be utilized to its maximum potential. Thus, regular cleaning and decalcifying your water heaters can be very helpful to make your unit last longer.
3. Check the pressure and temperature valves
Besides cleaning up the calcium build-up, regular checking on temperature and pressure release valve can also save you from occurring any turbulences and accidents. Any sort of failure in the pressure release valve can increase the pressure building up inside the machine. The lack of attention can cause explosions and other disasters that can turn out to be a life risk, not to mention the financial setback.
You can inspect the condition of this valve very simply in just a few minutes, without any trouble. The prime reason for and pressure trapping inside is that the discharge pipe system is not regularly cleaned up. To attain that, simply lift the supply lever for a couple of seconds and allow water to flush the valve. If you find the pipe to be cleared at ease, you can take a sigh of relief as there is nothing to be concerned about. But if you notice any residue or the drainage taking longer than expected, you might need to take resort to a plumber to find out any error in your hot water system.
4. Regular cleaning and decalcifying
Regular clean-up and maintenance are applicable for all the home appliances, not only just for water heating units. Regular cleaning will help to break down the calcium and sediment build-up over time. The most convenient way to maintain this is to follow a schedule. Experts recommend to wipe off the deposits at least once a year, even better if you can make twice or thrice.
Keep the user manual close to your hands for every little detail. You also should check the thermostat to determine the probable wear and tear it is facing. Besides that, check all the other parts and elements to ensure the fitness of the whole heating unit. Contact your plumber for a detailed investigation.
Final words:
With frequent inspection at the water heating units, you should be able to get the most usage of your machines. So, perform quick and uncomplicated tests as frequently as possible, and get professional consultation in optimal frequencies. Most of the modern units are made to last long. That is why, a regular checkup will keep your heaters going well, as well as preventing sudden accidents or any sort of explosions.