With the winter weather rolling in early this year, millions of people in the Raleigh area will come to depend on their water heater for comfort and safety throughout the winter months. For some homeowners, the time will be right to replace their water heater. For those people considering replacing their water heater on their own, it’s time to rethink things.
Every year, there are myriad ways in which water heaters are installed incorrectly in Raleigh, NC. Here are some of the most common.
Incorrect size for the location
There’s nothing more taxing than putting in a water heater that’s too big or too small for the assigned space. A water heater that’s too big is inefficient and costly on a month-to-month basis, while one that’s too small will continually run out of hot water and will end up showing excessive wear and tear earlier than you expect.
Leaks from the unit
One of the most common reasons you can tell your water heater was installed incorrectly in Raleigh, NC is poorly tightened connections. Leaks from your water heater can result in numerous issues that can be very costly to fix. Water damage can ruin your foundation. Mold and mildew can lead to increases in sickness in your home, too.
Risk of bacterial infection
DIY water heater installers may not realize the critical importance of ensuring their water heaters run hot enough. When your water runs between 95 and 115 degrees, your water heater becomes the perfect environment to breed the bacteria that leads to Legionnaires’ disease, a particularly rough type of pneumonia.
Federal regulations suggest making sure that your thermostat is set between 120 and 140 degrees to ensure safety.
Improperly connected gas lines
Some homeowners installing a new water heater will opt for a gas option. That’s all well and good, provided the gas line is installed correctly. If it’s not, your home could be in for serious trouble. A gas leak can result in toxic carbon monoxide streaming into your home. This could result in poisoning and even explosions in your home.
Lack of preventative maintenance
Those homeowners who complete their DIY water heater installation without any apparent issues often fall into a second mistake. Because they’ve installed their water heater, they neglect routine maintenance from a professional. The simple fact is that a professional plumber is trained to spot initial warning signs of problems and fix small issues before they’re able to get out of hand.
Work with the plumbers you can trust
Want to know how to correctly install a water heater in Raleigh, NC. Come to Affordable Plumbing Call Us 1st, Inc. Since 1993, we have committed ourselves to providing a wide range of top-notch services, including kitchen and bathroom plumbing, water filtration systems, leak detection and repair, drain cleaning and, of course, water heater repair and replacement.
At Affordable Plumbing Call Us 1st, Inc., we’ve built an extensive list of repeat customers who appreciate our impeccable customer service and first-rate workmanship. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.