If you manage a building or own a business, you know that a broken water heater can ruin your day instantly. Tenants will complain, customers might leave, and your wallet will take a hit once repairs are complete.
Fortunately, you can prevent most catastrophes with a little proactive effort. Implement these essential maintenance tips for commercial water heaters to keep your system in top condition.
Flush the Tank
When your building’s system heats water, minerals like calcium and lime separate and settle at the bottom of the tank. Over time, this creates a layer of sediment, which acts as an insulator between the tank’s heat source and the water.
Your heater then has to work harder to do the same job, burning more fuel and costing you more money. And if the sediment layer gets thick enough, the bottom of the tank can overheat and crack.
To keep the unit efficient and avoid sediment buildup in your commercial water heater, flush the tank regularly. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve, run the other end to a floor drain, open the valve, and let the water flow until it runs clear.
Check the Sacrificial Anode Rod
The sacrificial anode rod has one job: die so your tank can live. Essentially, it hangs inside the tank and attracts corrosive elements in the water, rusting on purpose so the walls of your tank don’t.
Since you can’t fix a rusted tank—only replace it—it’s crucial to check this rod annually. If it looks like a chewed-up toothpick or you see the core wire exposed, swap it out right away.
Buying a new rod costs far less than buying a new commercial unit.
Don’t Ignore the T&P Valve
The temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valve is a safety device on the water heater. If the water gets too hot or the pressure gets too high, this valve opens to release steam and water.
Test this valve at least once a year by placing a bucket under the discharge pipe and lifting the lever on the valve. You should hear a rush of air and see water flow out.
When you release the lever, the flow should stop. If nothing happens when you lift the lever, or if it keeps dripping afterward, be sure to replace the valve immediately.
Keep Your System Running
As a business owner or building manager, you handle complicated tasks every day. Simplify your routine by following these essential maintenance tips for commercial water heaters and keep water system-related issues at bay.