You need access to an ample supply of hot water in order to maintain the comfort and performance of your residential property. Traditional water heaters can take up quite a bit of space. Older homes that were outfitted with a water heater long after construction might have the water heater in a strange location, which can make it difficult to maximize the use of space within your home.
If you find that location is limiting your options when it comes to your water heater, you should consider relocating the appliance to a more convenient space within your home.
Moving your water heater from one location to another isn't as easy as it sounds. You need to carefully plan out the move so that you can retain the convenience and efficiency of your water heater in the future.
1. Evaluate Your Existing Water HeaterIf you have committed to relocating your home's water heater, you should use the move as an opportunity to evaluate the condition of your existing water heater. It doesn't make sense to waste valuable time and money relocating a water heater that is on its last legs.
Residential water heaters usually have a lifespan that ranges between 8 and 12 years. A water heater that is approaching the end of its usable life should be replaced with a new unit when completing a move. You will also want to consider a new water heater if you discover that your existing unit is leaking or showing signs of corrosion.
2. Prepare the New LocationOnce you have determined that your water heater is still functional or have invested in a new unit, you can select the location where you want to install this important appliance. The garage is a popular option for homeowners looking to relocate a water heater because the garage is an out-of-the-way location that has room for the appliance.
You will need to be mindful of both water and gas connections when scouting for a new location for your water heater. A professional may need to be called in to reroute natural gas and water lines from the existing location of the water heater to its new location within your home.
Factor in the added expense of re-piping as you evaluate the costs of moving your water heater.
3. Disconnect and Reconnect ProperlyIt is critical to the safety of your home and the efficiency of your water heater that you disconnect and reconnect the appliance properly during the moving process.
You should always eliminate the flow of gas into your home by shutting off the natural gas valve on the water heater. The main water valve should also be turned off to help you avoid any accidental flooding that might lead to water damage within your home.
Always cap unused water and gas lines to prevent leaks. After you have connected the new gas line and water pipes to your water heater, you will need to pressurize the system. This process requires that you bleed all of the air out of the water lines to ensure they can regulate the flow of water efficiently.
Water heaters that are taking up too much space or interfering with your plans to remodel will need to be moved in order to accommodate your needs. Moving a water heater sounds like a simple and straightforward task but can be dangerous if not completed properly.
The help of an experienced plumbing professional can prove invaluable when you need to set up your water heater in a new location within your home.
Contact
Equisure Drain Cleaning for help with the safe relocation of your water heater.
