Hot Water Tanks & Parts

1. Turn the heater’s thermostat all the way down and install a water pressure gauge with dead hand on the drain valve. Open the drain valve, so the gauge reads system pressure.

2. Open a hot water tap and allow 15% to 20% of the tank’s volume to run out.

3. Shut off the drain valve and make sure that no other fixture in the system, hot or cold, is open. Make sure that outside fixtures, if they are on the same system, are turned off too.

4. Check the water pressure gauge and turn the pointer so it lines up with the pressure indicating needle. Turn the thermostat back up to its normal position, so the heater cycles on. Watch the pressure gauge.

5. If the system is closed, the pressure will start to climb steadily and rapidly. A small amount of thermal expansion control may be built into the system because of trapped air pockets or a water hammer arrestor. In that case the pressure will increase slightly, hold steady for a short time and then rapidly increase.

6. The temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P) or PRV should open and release water once the pressure reaches the maximum setting on the valve. The valve will close once the pressure falls below the pressure setting of the valve.

7. The PRV is installed between the check valve and the water heating system. The expansion tank is installed between the PRV and the water heating system. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing the expansion tank.

8. Run the thermal expansion check again. The pressure should increase only slightly then hold steady throughout the recovery cycle. The expanded water is flowing back from the heater and into the pressurized storage bladder of the expansion tank. Air pressure will force this water out of the expansion tank into the supply once usage resumes.

To extend the life of your water heater, you want to ensure you are maintaining the unit on a regular basis (every 6 months to a year, depending on your water quality).

Typical maintenance includes:

•  Draining and flushing sediment from your water heater

•  Inspect and replace anode rod

•  Clean the wrap around filter and flame arrestor on a FVIR water heater

•  Changing out the dip tube

Installing a thermal expansion tank along with your water heater will also help prolong your tanks life expectancy.

There could be many reasons as to why you do not have hot water. First you will want to determine what type of water heater you own: electric or gas.

For electric water heaters – Check if your water heater is functioning by going and touching your temperature and pressure relief valve. If this valve is cold that means your water heater isn’t working, but if it is hot, your water heater is functional, and this means that you could have a plumbing issue. The most common cause of ‘no hot water’ in a new installation is a dry-fired element. If your water heater has been installed and working for years, the most common cause of no hot water is either a bad thermostat or a grounded or burnt-out element.

Gas water heaters are generally more complex, and there are more reasons that your water heater may not be functioning. First, you will want to touch your T&P valve again. If it is cold, you likely have a water heater problem, if it is hot, you could have a plumbing problem. Common issues that may cause your gas water heater to malfunction could be: a pilot light going out (Atmospheric Vent), blocked air supply, gas supply issues, or a faulty thermocouple. 

Please ensure that you are performing regular maintenance on your unit to extend its life and rule out maintenance-related issues.