Water heaters are one of the most important appliances in your home. They help keep you and your family warm, comfortable, and healthy. Unfortunately, they also pose a serious fire hazard if they’re not properly maintained and used.
If you are a homeowner, you must have heard about the dangers of scalding water. Scalding is caused by the rapid heating and quick cooling of water. This can happen for several reasons related to your water heater.
In this article, we will discuss some of the dangers associated with ineffective water heaters and get some tips from Water Heater Installation and Repair experts in Atlanta about how to prevent your home from ineffective water heaters.
What Temperature is Scalding?
Scalding is when you burn your skin, usually with hot liquid. Scalding occurs when the temperature of something is 120 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. When water is heated to 120 degrees, it can cause third-degree burns in just seconds.
What Are The Causes Of Scalding Hot Water?
If you’ve ever been scalded by hot water, you probably didn’t think to ask yourself, “What caused this?”
But there are some common causes of scalding hot water that you should know about. The following are common causes of scalding incidents:
High Water Temperature Settings
First, your water temperature setting may be too high. Most shower thermostats are set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, which is a comfortable temperature for most people, but if you want to lower the temperature, many hotels and apartment complexes offer the option to lower it to 110 degrees or less.
Malfunctioning Thermostat or Temperature Control
Second, your thermostat or temperature control might not be working properly. You can check this yourself by feeling for the coldest part of your shower—usually near where the water comes out of the pipe—and comparing it to other parts of the shower (e.g., around the shower head). If it’s significantly colder than other parts of the shower, then something is wrong with your heating system, and it needs to be fixed immediately before someone gets hurt!
Old Pipes
Third, if your pipes are older than 15 years old, they could be corroded inside and no longer able to heat up water properly. This could result in scalding hot water even when the temperature settings are correct, and there’s nothing wrong with your thermostat or temperature control system!
Improper Use of Hot Water
Improper use of hot water can lead to scalding burns if you don’t allow the water to cool down before touching it. If you have an older faucet with an exposed metal spout, you may want to consider replacing it with a built-in thermostat and temperature indicator so that you understand when the water is safe for bathing or washing dishes.
Pressure Imbalances
If your pressure imbalances are out of whack (which they probably are), you might end up with scalding hot water coming out of your tap. To fix this problem, just call up your local plumber for water heater repair in Marietta, GA, and ask them to adjust your pressure levels.
What are the Water Heater Danger Signs?
If you have a water heater, then you’ve likely heard about the risks of carbon monoxide. You may have even read that you can test your home for this toxic gas by placing a lighted candle in your basement and waiting to see if it goes out. But what other dangers might be lurking around your water heater?
Here are some lesser-known danger signs of a faulty water heater:
Inconsistent or Insufficient Hot Water Supply
Check to see if the water heater works properly by turning on a hot faucet and waiting for the water to heat up. If hot water takes more than a few minutes to reach the faucet, there may be an issue with your water heater.
– Try using a different faucet to check if there is an issue with just one specific faucet or all of them. If it’s just one, you may need to replace that faucet. If it’s all of them, then you may need to replace your entire water heater system.
Unusual Noises
If you hear strange sounds from your water heater, it’s worth looking at. These noises can be anything from a gurgling to a hissing or splashing sound. If the noise is constant and loud, this could be a significant sign that there is a leak in the tank itself. If it’s more intermittent, it could be that a valve needs to be replaced or the tank needs to be cleaned.
Leaks or Drips
While some leaks are natural and normal, like those caused by condensation when cold water meets hot metal parts, others are not so normal and can mean that something is wrong with your plumbing system or that you have a crack in your tank. If you notice any leaks around your toilet, tub, or sink drains, this may mean there is an issue with the pipes themselves, or they may have been installed incorrectly by someone else before you bought the house!
Corrosion and Rust
If you see rust or corrosion around your water heater—even if it’s just a little bit—that’s not good. It means there’s a leak that needs to be fixed before it causes more serious damage to your home or family.
Foul Odors
If you smell foul odors coming from your water heater—like sewage or rotten eggs—it might be a sign of something more severe going on inside it. That smell could be a result of bacteria growing in the tank, which means there’s something wrong with the insulation or other parts of the unit itself (and could lead to serious problems if left untreated).
Age of the Water Heater
Consider the age of your water heater. Most water heaters have a lifespan of around 8 to 12 years. As the unit ages, it becomes more prone to issues and may become less efficient. If your water heater is nearing the end of its expected lifespan, it’s advisable to consider replacement or schedule regular inspections and maintenance.
Tips for Scalds Prevention at Home or Workplace
You’re probably already familiar with the importance of preventing scalds in your home or workplace. But if you aren’t, this section is for you!
Scalds are one of the leading causes of burns, and they can be especially dangerous to young children. Luckily, you can do a few simple things to reduce risk and keep your family safe from scalds at home or work.
Here are some tips to help prevent scalds:
Set Water Heater Temperature
If you’re using a hot water dispenser that has an adjustable temperature, set it to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below. If you don’t have an adjustable hot water dispenser, use a thermometer to check the temperature of your water before using it to make sure it’s not too hot.
Test the Water Temperature
When you first turn on the water, test it with your hand or a thermometer to make sure it’s not too hot before putting your hands in there.
Use Anti-Scald Devices
These devices help prevent water from getting too hot by automatically turning off the water when it reaches a certain temperature. They’re great if you have children who might accidentally bump into them and turn off the water themselves! Some anti-scald devices even have alarms that go off when they’re activated, so you don’t forget about them after installing them!
Supervise Children and Vulnerable Individuals
While scalding is a hazard for anyone, it’s especially dangerous for children and older people. Make sure you’re paying attention to your kids’ and elderly loved one’s safety when they’re near hot water or cooking surfaces.
Educate and Practice Safety
There are many ways you can avoid scalding at home or work. When you’re at work, ensure an emergency shut-off valve is installed on all your appliances that use hot water; at home, install child-resistant faucet covers so that children cannot turn on the tap without adult supervision.
Proper Mixing Technique
Teach proper mixing techniques when using hot water for tasks like preparing drinks or washing dishes. Start with cold water and gradually add hot water as needed to achieve the desired temperature. This approach reduces the risk of accidental scalding.
Secure Cords and Appliances
Ensure that cords from appliances like kettles, coffee makers, or water dispensers are kept out of reach and not dangling where they can be pulled down, causing hot liquids to spill.
Maintain a Safe Work Environment
In workplaces such as kitchens or industrial settings, implement safety protocols for handling hot liquids. Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary and conduct regular training sessions on safe work practices.
Regular Maintenance and Inspections
Schedule regular maintenance and inspections of water heaters, plumbing systems, and related equipment. This helps identify and address potential issues before they become hazardous, ensuring the proper functioning of water heating systems.
DIY Vs. Professional Water Heater Repair & Installation Expert
A professional can fix your water heater, but it will cost you. A DIYer can save some money, but they risk making matters worse and putting themselves—and their home—at risk of further damage. So what’s the best way to approach this?
Here’s a comparison chart to help you make an informed decision about water heater repair and water heater installation Marietta, GA:
| DIY | Professional Expert | |
| Expertise | Limited knowledge and experience | Extensive knowledge and expertise |
| Safety | Potential risks without proper training | Follows safety protocols for secure repairs |
| Quality of Work | Variable depends on individual skills | Consistently high-quality workmanship |
| Time | May take longer due to learning curve | Efficient and timely repairs/installations |
| Cost | Potentially lower cost | Reasonable cost with quality assurance |
| Warranty Coverage | Depends on manufacturer and individual | May offer warranties for workmanship |
| Liability | Responsible for own mistakes and damages | Assumes liability for any workmanship issues |
| Code Compliance | May not be aware of local codes | Knowledgeable about code requirements |
| Long-Term Benefits | Potential for recurring issues | Enhanced performance and longer lifespan |
Talk to Your Local Professional for Water Heater Repair and Installation in Marietta!
We know how important it is to have a comfortable home. And we know your water heater can feel like a disaster when it breaks. Luckily for you, we’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen.
The Clog Dawg Plumbing & Hydrojetting Inc. specializes in Water Heater Inspection, Installation, and Maintenance in Marietta, GA, to ensure that you have reliable hot water for years to come. We’ve been helping people with their plumbing needs for years, and we also have a solid reputation for being reliable and affordable.
We have been serving the Marietta area for many years now with all of your plumbing needs, including:
– Water heater repair Marietta
– Tankless water heater installation Marietta GA
– Water heater system replacement Marietta GA
– Septic System Repair and Installation
– Drain Cleaning
– Sump Pump Installation (including backflow preventers)
We are Marietta’s most trusted plumbing company. Our team of experts has extensive experience working with all types of water heaters, so you can be sure that we’ll get the job done on time, every time. And if you need a new unit installed in an existing home or business? We’ve got you covered there too!
No matter what kind of problem you’re dealing with—whether it’s an old unit that needs to be replaced or you wish to install a new one—we’ll be ready to help!
We offer free estimates on all of our services so that you know exactly what kind of cost will be associated with any repairs or installations before we begin work on your home. Our expert technicians will arrive at your home promptly and get started right away on any project you have in mind—we won’t waste any time!
We also offer 24/7 emergency service in case there’s an issue with your water heater. Moreover, if something goes wrong at 2 am on a Sunday, call us immediately at (404) 998-1967!Â
We’re here for all your plumbing needs!