Coming home after a minor flood can be very stressful to any homeowner, but the icing on the cake is when the water heater in the basement is also damaged and no longer functioning. This means no hot showers or, in some cases with older homes, no heat at all. Here are some top tips on how to perform water heaters repair in Fairfax, VA for the do-it-yourselfer.
Step 1
After the power has been restored to the home by the utility company, the basement will need to be drained of water. Generally speaking, this can be done with a submersible pump. The amount of time this will take will depend on the size of the basement and the pump.
Step 2
After the water is drained, turn all the gas valves to the off position. This will prevent a gas leak in the event there are any damaged parts.
Step 3
Gather appropriate tools to perform the water heaters repair in Fairfax, VA. Every water heater is slightly different, but a safe bet would be an adjustable wrench and channel locks. An air compressor would be handy as well if the home owner already has one.
Step 4
Disconnect all of the lines to the water heater. This includes the gas supply, pilot, and main burner lines. Also, disconnect the thermocouple from the control.
Step 5
Remove the burner chamber cover and inspect the burner assembly for any damage. Clean it well and remove any debris that may be present.
Step 6
Put the burner assembly back in place and ensure all connections are secure.
Step 7
Inspect the control unit and drain all water from it as necessary. This can be done with the compressor.
Step 8
Reconnect all lines except for the gas supply line. Also, reconnect the thermocouple.
Step 9
Reconnect the gas supply line. This is always done last for the sake of safety.
Step 10
Check for any leaks by using a commercial spray leak detector. If leaks are present, they will be indicated by bubbles.
Step 11
If no leaks are present, the job is complete.
If leaks are present, it may be in the best interest of the homeowner to call a professional company such as Business Name to make sure they get fixed properly.
