Water Heater Servicing For Rust Removal: 3 Tips To Get The Professionals In And Out Of Your Home In No Time
To prevent the inside surfaces of water heater tanks from rusting, sacrificial anodes are installed. These anodes basically corrode and get worn down before the water heater tank gets a chance to even begin to rust from the differences in electric potential between two metals. The condition of the sacrificial anode within water tank heaters with softeners should be checked out at least once every year or two years. You'll know that the water tank heaters are beginning to rust when the water supply becomes a reddish-brown hue, at which point, you'll need to hire a professional to clean out the rust in the water tank heaters and replace the sacrificial anode. Here are 3 tips that will help you get the job done in no time.
Disconnect the Power and Water Supply
If you already know that the water tank heaters need to be cleaned of rust, then you can get the process started by disconnecting the power and water supply to the water tank. You should find the power cords and the hoses for the water supply connected to the tanks themselves. This is the first thing that needs to be done for safety reasons. To remove any rust that has accumulated on the inner surfaces of the water tank, the professionals will basically need to get their hands dirty.
If the power supply is not disconnected, the repairman runs the risk of getting electrocuted. In addition, if the water tank heaters are not disconnected from the water supply, your home will be in for an unpleasant surprise, as water from the water supply floods out.
Flush and Drain Out as Much Rust as Possible
Depending on the severity of the corrosion and the amount of rust that has accumulated, you might also want to get a head start with the cleaning. Basically, you want to do as much by yourself as possible, so that the professional repairman only needs to install the sacrificial anode, assemble the water tank heater system, and determine whether everything works.
You can remove sedimentary rust within the water tanks by flushing and draining out as much water as possible once the power and water supply to the water tank heaters have been disconnected. Basically, you want to fill the tanks up with water and allow the water to drain out. This is a very non-invasive and gentle method used for removing rust without damaging the inner metal walls of the water tank heaters.
Try to Vacuum as Much Rust Out as Possible
You can only get so much rust out by flushing and draining the water tank heaters. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, you should consider trying to vacuum the inner surfaces of the water tank heaters as well. Be as gentle as possible, and use a vacuum cleaner with soft-bristled brush tips. The brush can be used to loosen up the rust from the water tanks before they get vacuumed.
When using a vacuum cleaner, you want to use a vacuum cleaner with a small tip. This will allow you to get into the edges, corners, and nooks and crannies within the water tank heaters that are often forgotten or avoided. You'll be able to do a much more thorough cleaning job.
Conclusion
Getting rid of all of the rust may be impossible for the average homeowner. Some of the rust may stubbornly cling and attach to the inner metal surfaces of the water tank heaters. Leave the more detailed and difficult cleaning processes to professionals from a company like R & B Inc Heating & Air Conditioning. Once all of the rust has been removed, a new sacrificial anode can be installed. Try to get as much done as possible before the professionals arrive, so that you can cut down on labor costs.
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