Tips on gas water heater maintenance?
Apologies for bugging y’all with something like this, not really homebuilding but I think there’s people with expertise reading here who can help.
Gas water heater, just 2 yrs old, power vent model, is not heating as hot as it used to. Checked the thermostat, it’s not changed. Tried the flush/drain thing, didn’t help.
The one thing that might have something to do with it is that two months ago, the gas line was broken by a stump grinder, and replaced. Gas company insists we have good pressure.
Is there anything else I could check by myself or do, or shall I just give up now and call in the pros?
Replies
You must be scientific about this.
1] What was the original temperature say 3 months ago?
2] What is the temperature now?
Maybe you're just colder now that it is winter.
What the pro would do is turn the thermostat up. Maybe that might work.
~Peter
When the gas line was cut the water heater had to be relit (if pilot) or reset (if electric ignition). This will generally involve turning the thermostat all the way down. It likely didn't get set back to where it was.
It probably wouldn't happen with a WH that's just 2 years old, but I have seen older ones where rust scale will fall on top of the burner. Cleaning that off brought it back to life.
Have you tried draining it off some, to see if any sediment has accumulated in the bottom of the tank?
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"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Yes, I did try draining it, no sediment detected.
I think I'll try bumping up the thermostat a tad, it's possible the guy did fiddle with it when he was bleeding off the air after the gas line was fixed and didn't get it back to where we are used to having it.
(good suggestion!!!)
I would stick your head down there and see if there is anything laying on the burner. Good luck.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
The gas line may be kinked, if the stump grinder hit it hard enough to break the line it may have tugged it and kinked it somewhere else under ground. It would show regular pressure at no load but pressure would fall off when the burner fired up. Rinnai demand water heaters have a hygrometer port so you can test for this problem. Ask your gas company to come back and test the pressure at the water heater while the burner is running.