Are you noticing that your hot water isn’t as hot as it used to be, or maybe there’s some weird rumbling sounds coming from your geyser? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. It might just be time to give your geyser a good clean.
And the best thing is, you can do it yourself. Trust me, it’s easier than you think. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean your geyser all by yourself:
Step 1. Gather all the Tools
Before we get our hands dirty, here are all the tools you will need to clean your geyser:
- Vinegar or Baking Soda: These are effective and safe cleaning agents for removing buildup inside your geyser.
- A Bucket: You’ll need this to catch water during the draining process.
- Gloves and Safety Glasses: To protect your hands and eyes from cleaning agents and any debris.
- Wrench and Screwdriver: These tools will help you in opening panels or valves on your geyser.
- Garden Hose: Necessary for draining the tank, especially if you need to direct the water to a specific place.
- Rags or Old Towels: Handy for cleaning up spills or drips.
- Flashlight: Useful if the area around your geyser is not well-lit.
- A Friend or Family Member: Optional, but helpful for assistance, especially if you need an extra pair of hands.
Step 2. Perform Safety Measures
Sure thing! When cleaning your geyser, always think safety first. First, switch off the power to the geyser. This is really important, especially for electric geysers. You don’t want any electric shocks!
Next, turn off the water supply to the geyser. This stops more water from getting in while you’re cleaning. If your geyser uses hot water, wait for it to cool down. Hot water can be risky to handle.
If you have a gas geyser, sniff around to check there’s no gas smell. If you smell gas, stop right there and call a professional.
Also, make sure the place where your geyser is has fresh air coming in, especially when using cleaning stuff. Last thing, remember to wear gloves and safety glasses to keep your hands and eyes safe. Following these simple safety steps will help you clean your geyser without any trouble.
Once, I was in a hurry and totally forgot to turn off the power to the geyser. I thought, “It’s just a quick clean, what could go wrong?” Well, as soon as I started working, I got a little electric shock! It wasn’t serious, but it sure did wake me up better than my morning coffee
So I have written an entire post on geyser safety tips you must know.
Step 3. Drain they Geyser
Draining the geyser is a key step in cleaning it. It’s like letting out all the old water to make room for the fresh. Here’s how you do it:
First, attach a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of your geyser. Make sure it’s tight so there’s no leaking. Then, lead the other end of the hose to a place where it’s safe to let out water, like a drain or outside. Remember, there might be a lot of water, so pick a spot where it won’t cause any problems.
Next, open the drain valve. Water will start flowing through the hose. This could take a while, so be patient. Sometimes, the water might not flow smoothly because of sediment blocking the way. If that happens, just give the hose a little wiggle to help things along.
While the tank is draining, open a hot water tap somewhere in your house. This helps air get into the system and makes the water flow out easier. Opening the tap stops the glugging and lets the water flow smoothly.
When the water stops coming out, your geyser is empty. Now you’re ready for the next step, cleaning the inside. Draining might seem simple, but it’s really important. It’s all about getting rid of the old to make way for the new!
Note, there are different types of geysers and each one of them might have a different process of cleaning. This guide is mostly for electric and instant geysers, but it could apply to other types as well.
Step 4. Opening the Inside
Now, this isn’t like opening a cookie jar; it’s a bit more technical. You’ll usually find a panel on the geyser that you can open using a screwdriver. Be careful and take it slow.
If you feel unsure, you can always check the geyser’s manual or look up its model online for specific instructions.
Step 5. Cleaning the inside of the Geyser
Once the panel is open, and you have access to the inside of the tank, it’s time to start the cleaning. Pour a generous amount of vinegar into the tank. Vinegar’s great for breaking down the buildup. Let the vinegar sit in there for a few hours. It needs time to work its magic on all the grime and scale.
If you’re using baking soda, sprinkle it inside the tank and gently scrub with a brush. It’s like giving the inside a gentle scrub to get rid of the tough spots. After scrubbing, leave the baking soda there for a bit to absorb and break down any remaining gunk.
Step 6. Rinsing It Out
Now, after the vinegar or baking soda has done its job, it’s important to rinse out the tank thoroughly. This is where you make sure all the cleaning agents and loosened debris are completely flushed out.
Reattach the garden hose to the drain valve and open the water supply to let clean water run through the tank.
Keep the drain valve open so the water and cleaning residues can exit through the hose. You might need to do this rinsing a few times to make sure all the vinegar or baking soda is washed away.
After you’ve rinsed the tank properly, close up the drain valve, remove the hose, and seal back the panel you opened earlier. Your geyser is now not only clean on the inside but also ready to be refilled and used again.
Step 7. Turn it back on
First, make sure the drain valve is closed tight. We don’t want any leaks, right? Then, switch the water supply back on to refill the tank.
Once the tank is full, it’s time to bring back the power. If it’s an electric geyser, head over to your main power supply and switch it on. For a gas geyser, you’ll need to relight the pilot light. This can be a bit tricky, so if you’re not sure how to do it, check the manual or ask someone who knows. It’s important to get this part right.
Now, give it some time to heat up the water. After a while, check a tap to see if the hot water is running. Ah, the joy of seeing hot water flow again!
Final Checks and Tips
Once your geyser is back in action, it’s good to do a quick check. Look around for any leaks or drips. If you find a leak, you might need to tighten some connections or check the seals.
Also, listen to your geyser. It should be humming along nicely, not making strange noises. Weird noises could mean there’s still some air in the system or something else is up. If you hear anything odd, it might be a good idea to check it out or get help.
Now, for some final tips: Regular cleaning and maintenance can keep your geyser running smoothly for years. Also, keep an eye on the pressure relief valve. It’s an important part of the geyser’s safety system. And remember, if anything seems too complicated or risky, there’s no shame in calling a professional. Better safe than sorry!