One of the things Rockville, MD homeowners tend to put off the most is a regularly scheduled maintenance program for their home’s water system, which includes their water heater. Unfortunately, this can lead to the need for a replacement of their unit much sooner than they would like. Once your water heater gets old or stops working completely, you are due for a new water heater installation for your Rockville, MD home. This could lead to wondering about what water heater installation entails, who does it, and how you can protect your new water heater from a decreased life span. In this article, we will take a look at all of these questions. We will tell you what to expect from your new water heater installation, how to prepare for the big day, and how to make sure your new water heater installation remains in good working order for many years to come. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Preparing for the Big Day
Once you have selected your new water heater, and have made the water heater installation appointment, there are several things you can do to prepare for the techs to arrive. Doing this will help them work much more efficiently. Some of the things you can do to prepare for the arrival of the techs are:
- If your water heater runs on gas, turn off the main gas supply valve – This will allow the pipes to empty before the water heater installation starts, and also prevents potential gas leaks during the process.
- Turn off your home’s water supply – Once you do, turn on all your hot water faucets and allow the water heater to empty.?
- Clear any debris from the area in which your new water heater will be installed – This will allow the installation techs to move around freely without risking any damage to your property during the process.
- Make sure there is a clear path to the location of your new water heater – This will also help streamline the installation process and prevent any damages to your furniture or belongings.
The Installation Process
Once the techs arrive at your home, they will explain the installation process to you. They will go over a series of instructions, and the warranty of your new appliance. This is a good time to ask any questions you may have about the procedure or the water heater itself. The techs will be more than happy to help you understand all about the water heater you have selected. After this chat, they will proceed to initiate the installation process as follows:
- Removal of the old water heater – Once the techs are ready to start working, they will verify that the water heater’s tank is completely empty and that the gas has been turned off. When this has been done, the techs will continue with the removal of your old water heater. They will disconnect all the pipes from the tank, and your home’s water and gas supply. Once it is fully disconnected they will proceed to its removal. At this point, if the space in which your new water heater will be installed is reduced, they will move the old water heater to the outside of your home in order to make room for them to install the new one.
- Placement of the new water heater – Now that the space has been cleared, the techs will put your new water heater into the space designated for it. They will verify it is level and correctly placed on the base. Following this, they will begin connecting it.
- Installation of the pipes and valves
- Hook up to the water supply
- Installation and securing of the fittings
- Filling of the tank – At this point, the tank of your new water heater will be filled for the first time in order to test for any potential leaks. After this, the tank will be flushed and any additional adjustments will be performed as necessary. The tank will then be refilled.
- Turning on the water heater – Once the tank has been filled a second time, the techs will turn on the water heater and verify that all is in good working order. They will wait a few minutes before they perform any temperature tests. At this point you will be asked to turn on your hot water faucets to verify they are being correctly supplied.
- Final inspection – Once everything is in place and has been tested, the team leader will perform a final inspection in order to ensure everything has been installed correctly. They will also answer any further questions you may have, and give you a brief walkthrough of its operation.
Tips for a Longer Life
Even though your water heater is brand new, it is recommended you start a series of actions in order to keep it working efficiently for many years. The most important one is to plan and schedule a regular maintenance program, which should be performed at least once a year, to identify any potential issues that could become a more serious problem down the road. You can also flush your water heater’s tank twice a year to help prevent any scale buildup that could affect your water heater’s operation.
Buying a new water heater is a costly affair, and when your old unit breaks down beyond repair, the expense can hit your bank account hard, especially because many people don’t plan for these issues. With this in mind, it probably goes without saying that you want to do the best to ensure your water heater works without a hitch for many years. Because of this, every new water heater installation in Rockville, MD should always be left in the expert hands of Clarksburg Plumbing. With numerous years of experience in water heater installation jobs, the techs at Clarksburg Plumbing will always do their job efficiently and safely, guided by the industry’s best practices. So, don’t hesitate, when you are ready for your new water heater installation, give Clarksburg Plumbing a call right away!
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