Having hot water is one of the most vital resources a homeowner can have. Taking showers, doing dishes, and washing clothes all require this valuable commodity.

Water heaters can malfunction at any time with no warning. Learning to troubleshoot problems with your water heater can be a lifesaver.

If you’re unfamiliar with how to navigate your water heaters system, it’s okay. We’ve got a guide on learning how to fix your water heater. 

Troubleshooting Your Water Heater

Listed below are some of the most common problems you can encounter with your water heater. Keep reading to find out simple solutions for these problems.

Thermostat Issues

If the water in your sink or tub is too hot or too cold, there could be a thermostat problem. Testing the thermostat with a voltage meter can let you know if the component is faulty.

Dripping Valves

Does the hot water in your home not last long enough? This could be a problem with dripping valves or fixtures.

Use a wrench and check all the connections on the pipes and hoses around the water heater. Ensure everything is tight and locked correctly.

Puddles Under the Water Heater

You may have found a puddle of water under the heater unit. Is it a leak or just condensation?

If you’ve recently installed a new water heater, condensation is present on many newer models. Monitor your water heater as it turns on.

Condensation tends to build up after the first few minutes a water heater turns on. Approximately one half-gallon of vapor can form from the unit powering on. 

Winterising

Is your water heater freezing when the temperatures get cold outside? Frozen water heaters can cause severe malfunctions. 

The heater may require extra insulation around the main unit. If this doesn’t seem to help, consider purchasing insulation for your pipes. 

Recognise and Diagnose

Pay attention to how your water heater functions. Get familiar with the noises it makes and the cycles it goes through. This ensures your ability to notice small changes that could lead to bigger problems later. 

If you simply can’t fix it yourself, consider investing in a brand new water heater from your local plumber

Did you miss our previous article…
https://distancebetweenplaces.com/?p=98

Patricia Miller

distancebetweenplaces.com

I have this thing with the wood aisle at Lowes. They have a great selection of short poplar pieces in various sizes and they always inspire ideas, like these table leg candlesticks from last year and these basket planters a few months ago.

I spied a chunky 3×3” piece and thought, hmmm, if I wrapped that in marble contact paper I bet it I could make them look like a high end marble candle holders but on the cheap. I liked this style but wanted a trio in different heights.

These candle holders have a high end look but were really cheap to make. I wrapped wood cut at different lengths with black marble contact paper and topped them off with spray painted copper caps to create them. (Compare to versions like this and this that are way more expensive.)

To recreate these here’s what you need: one 3x3x48” poplar square; black marble contact paper; 3/4” copper caps; gold spray paint, black spray paint (optional); spray adhesive; super glue; sanding wedge; scissors; miter saw.

I found the 3x3x48” poplar square but you could also use 2” square or 3” round circle pieces too!

The copper caps I found in the plumbing department, the 3/4” size fits standard taper candles. There are various kinds of copper pipe connectors and caps in the 3/4” size, I chose the simple cap for my project.

Trim the blocks to desired height, these are 5”, 6 1/2” and 8” height. Sand the edges to remove any roughness.

I spray painted them black thinking the contact paper would stick better to painted surface instead of raw wood. Here they are without the contact paper wrap and these look good too!

Of course you could paint them any color and add the copper cap top in its raw state or painted a contrasting color.

A larger group of these wood candle holders would make a great Halloween candelabra!

The faux marble surface is created by wrapping the blocks like a present.

The one thing about contact paper is it has an adhesive back but to make it stick better, unwrap the block and give it a light coat of spray adhesive for greater adhesion then rewrap.

Wrap the long sides first then trim the edges and fold them over the top and bottom.

I spray painted the copper caps with gold leaf spray painted and super glued them to the top. Voila!

An easy project for adding faux marble decor to your space! You could use the same contact paper to create bookends, cover trays or desktops, planters and canisters too!

Did you miss our previous article…
https://distancebetweenplaces.com/?p=85

Patricia Miller

distancebetweenplaces.com