Water heaters and hot water distribution

Inspection, temperature settings and drain maintenance on domestic water heaters.

Common failure modes

Sediment in the tank
A temperature setting higher than needed
A relief valve never tested

Procedures

How hot should my hot water be and how do I check itThis page is about measuring the hot water your taps actually deliver, with a thermometer, and writing the number down.
How to descale or flush a tankless water heater, and whether vinegar or a CLR-type descaler is safe to useA tankless (on-demand) water heater has no tank for sediment to settle in, but hard water still leaves mineral scale ins
How old is my water heater and how do I read the serial numberNobody asks how old their water heater is out of curiosity. The question comes up when it has started to leak, when a ho
Where is the water under my hot water heater coming from, and does it mean I need a new one?Water on the floor under a water heater is not one fault. It has six common origins and they do not have the same answer
How to flush a water heaterSediment settles at the bottom of a storage water heater over time, and it is the most common cause of a rumbling or pop
How do I check if my water heater's pressure relief valve pipe is installed correctlyThis page shows how to find the discharge line that runs from the temperature and pressure relief valve (the T&P valve,
How do I insulate the hot water pipes at my water heaterSlipping foam sleeves onto the first few feet of pipe at a water heater is one of the genuinely easy jobs. The sleeves c
How do I read the label on my hot water heater and figure out what the numbers meanA water heater carries more information than most owners ever read. Beyond the model number and the serial number, the s

Where this stops

Gas conversion, gas line work and the replacement of a heater are outside this repository.