Top Secrets to Ensuring Your Residential Gas Water Heater Remains in Good Working Shape

Many people simply know plumbers as professionals that specialise in installing, maintaining, repairing and replacing water-conveying appliances and systems in buildings. Very few know that plumbers can also work as gas fitters. Yes, the people who install, maintain and repair gas lines and gas appliances are also plumbers, and they are called gas plumbers.

If the hot water system in your home runs on gas, it will need to be connected to the gas supply. Once a gas plumber has connected your gas water heater to the gas line, and ensured it is operating safely and efficiently, you will have a big part to play in ensuring that the appliance continues working as required.

Below are some effective tips you can use to keep your gas water heater working all right and avoid potential safety hazards.

Read the user's manual to familiarise yourself with proper operation of your appliance.

As with electrical appliances, the makers of gas water heaters usually provide their customers with a set of guidelines that should be followed when using each appliance. These guidelines are normally included in the user's manual. One of the biggest mistakes that most homeowners make is not reading the user's manual before using their water heaters. This is especially the case for homeowners that have used a particular type of water heater at some point and have now installed a newer model. 

Unless they are of the same brand, make and model, gas water heaters should never be assumed to be the same. Homeowners should read through the whole manual to make sure they know the nitty-gritties of proper appliance operation. They can seek clarification on anything that they do not understand from the appliance manufacturer or their gas plumber. 

Conduct a routine inspection of your appliances to detect potential problems early.

It is perfectly normal for problems to crop up when you are using a gas water heater. Some problems will be easily noticeable while others will require a closer look. To make sure no problem goes unnoticed, it is important for you to schedule for routine DIY inspection of your appliance so as ensure problems are detected in good time. Pay special attention to the gas connections, as this is where leaks tend to develop, endangering your life and that of other occupants of the home. Also, take time to visually inspect the entire length of the pipes connecting your water heater to the gas supply.

Do not operate a faulty water heater.

Where the safety of your family is involved, take no chances. The gas used to run your water heater is very dangerous if handled carelessly. Do not use a water heater that you suspect is faulty. Simply shut down it down and ask a certified gas plumber to check and fix the issue immediately.