How to Repair a Solar Water Heating System
Getting a solar water heating system is an excellent way to save money without sacrificing the staple modern luxury of hot water. However, if your system breaks or springs a leak, you're looking at the potential of lost money. There are ways to repair your heating system on your own, however, so you can get back to your warm showers and keep your cash in your wallet where it belongs. For problems besides leaks, consult with a professional for repairs. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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1
Find the problem and source of the leaks. Most solar water heaters use a radiator pattern, which use many bends along the interior pipe. This bending can break over time.
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Turn off the main water source to the water heater. Drain the water completely from the system.
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Remove the solar water heater from its mounts and unhook the pipes on either side. Be aware that residual water will run out as pipes are removed and the water heater is moved.
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Open and remove the plastic cover, giving you access to the winding pipes inside. Use a towel to remove excess water; then set it out to air dry completely.
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5
Find the damaged or leaking section of pipe. The inside pipes come in two types, either a copper pipe or a PVC pipe. Simple fixes for copper pipes would be adding a strong suitable sealant to the hole or leak. If the damage is more extensive to the copper pipe, the section will need to be cut out and removed and a replacement section welded in place. For PVC piping, leaks tend to occur at their joints. The glue will corrode or fail over time. Remove the joint and reapply new glue. Attach the joint and allow to fully cure. Follow the directions on the glue for how long to wait.
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6
Repaint all the areas you repaired or replaced black to match the rest of the piping. Touch up where the pipe paint has chipped or peeled over time. Close the lid of the water heater. Reinstall the solar water heater to the mounting location. Reattach the piping, closing the system. Turn back on the water and run the system for a full 24 hours to fully test the repairs.
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