Are you considering installing a water heater by yourself? After watching various water heater installation videos, you probably feel ready for the task. Besides, DIY projects are money-saving, right?
However, installing a water heater by yourself could put lives at stake. Here are five compelling reasons why you should avoid water heater installation by yourself and rather hire professionals who are specialized to do that job:
Carbon Monoxide Buildup
Gas water heaters are the commonly used water heaters in the market. Unknown to many, they need extra care when handling and installing them. If a gas heater fails to get adequate ventilation, it can lead to carbon monoxide gas building up.
Exposure to carbon monoxide is lethal and can result in brain injury, even death. Sadly, carbon monoxide is odorless and can’t be detected without a detector in the event of a leak.
A case about a homeowner who tried to install his family’s water heater that happened recently is an example. Due to poor installation, the heater leaked carbon monoxide, which killed his entire family and pets.
Legal concerns
When you put it upon yourself to install a water heater, the installation project won’t be inspected. This failure of inspection could be costly in the long run should you ever need to sell your home.
Law in many areas requires a house to be inspected before sale. The inspection mainly focuses on the water heater.
When you install the unit by yourself, it simply means that there was no inspection or permit involved. In other words, you’ll need to repair or reinstall the unit, which can be costly.
High Risk of an Explosion or Fire
When installing a natural water heater, you might need to use combustible fuel. A gas water heater relies on the burning fuel to adequately heat the water. This combustible fuel poses a high risk of fire or an explosion when handled incorrectly.
Therefore, your DIY installation project can go wrong with even the slightest mistake. A simple mistake like tightening the gas control valve too much can lead to a gas leak and consequently a fire that can damage your entire house.
Drainage Issues
A common drainage issue in homes happens in bathrooms or laundry rooms. Thus, when installing a water heater, you need to ensure that the heater is properly connected to the correct supply lines.
How well you connect the supply line to the heater determines the functionality of the heater. Other than faulty connections putting excess pressure on the lines, it can also damage the heater and may even result in an explosion of the supply lines.
Inappropriate Routine Maintenance
For optimal functioning, water heaters need to be properly maintained. This maintenance includes regular inspection of the water pipes, cleaning any dust and debris, flushing the system, and checking the thermostat, among others.
Regular maintenance helps ensure the heater is functioning properly. Unfortunately, only a professional can notice inconsistencies or problems with your heater. Therefore, if you installed the heater yourself, you might barely notice any errors, making it hard to keep your heater functional for long.
Last Words
While DIY projects are a fun way to learn and handle installations in your home, not every project should be done by yourself. Sometimes, it is better to leave complex – even risky – projects, like a water heater install, to the professionals.
