Hot water heaters seem to be the least of your worries when you own a home. Other than worrying about running out of hot water, are there any potential dangers with a hot water heater? There actually is. Learn how to make sure your water heater doesn’t cause damage to your home or pose a risk to your safety:
Proper ventilation
Hot water heaters need to be housed in a place that has proper ventilation. Improperly placed vents, ducts or drafts can create fumes that will seep into the home. If your hot water heater is fueled by gas, this could pose a bigger problem for home owners. If the gas fumes are not properly ventilated, they could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning make sure you install carbon monoxide detectors that constantly measure the levels within your home. It would also be beneficial to get you hot water heater inspected by a professional to make sure that the unit is properly ventilated and safe.
Eliminate fire hazards
Similarly, gas-fueled hot water heaters should not have anything combustible located nearby. This could easily happen especially if your hot water heater is located in a small storage or a basement where flammable items might reside. Hot water heaters can crack over time, which causes fumes to leak out and pose as a fire hazard.
Monitor temperature and pressure
Hot water heaters need to be set at roughly 120 degrees to prevent germs and bacteria from contaminating the water. In addition, this is the ideal temperate for babies and children to bath without becoming burned. As a safety precaution, all water should be checked before children bath to be safe.
If temperatures plummet or rise significantly, this is a telltale sign that there is a problem with your unit. This is when you should consult the professionals. In extreme causes, hot water tanks can explode if the temperature or pressure is too much. Your unit should have valves that help monitor the pressure and temperature, but should be checked and maintained on a regular basis.
Hot water heaters are an essential in our homes, yet we don’t spend much time thinking about maintaining them. Instead of letting problems with your hot water heater fly under the radar, consult the heating professionals today to make sure everything is in order.