When your gas-powered heater breaks down in the middle of a cold winter night, it might not feel like the best time to be thinking about repair. However, when the pipes in your house are frozen or leaking due to a faulty installation, repairing the unit becomes a lot more urgent.If your heater’s broken down, you might think it’s best to replace it with a new model. After all, it’s much cheaper and easier to do so. But is your old heating system beyond repair? Well, it all depends on the type of gas-fired appliance in question. Here’s everything you need to know about repairing your own gas heater — from locating any potential leaks to removing and installing the burner unit itself.

How do you know if your gas heater is beyond repair?

When it comes to gas appliances, there are two main types of breakdowns: impending or imminent. An impending breakdown is usually something that can be fixed with a quick repair or replacement, but an imminent breakdown is something that requires a complete overhaul.When you’re trying to repair your own gas-fired appliance, it’s important to check for any of these imminent breakdowns. If any of these apply to your heater, it’s best to call a professional repairman immediately.

Locate any potential leaks

One of the easiest ways to tell if your gas heater is beyond repair is by checking for leaks. When a pipe in your house is leaking, it’s not just wasting water — it’s also letting harmful methane into your home.If you’re not sure where the pipes are located in your house, or if they’re even made from plastic, you can buy a pipe leak detection kit from your local hardware store. These kits usually come with a pipe wrench that can be used to turn the pipe to make it easier to detect if there’s a leak.If you do find a leak, you’ll have to repair it before attempting to repair the rest of the system. If you don’t repair it, you’ll have to replace the entire pipe system, which can be a costly and time-consuming process.

Check for loose fittings and corroded pipework

Beyond leaks, there are a few other common breakdowns that you should look out for. First, it’s important to check for loose fittings and corroded pipework. Loose fittings aren’t just unsightly — they’re also a safety hazard, as they can lead to a gas explosion.Corroded pipework is especially dangerous, as it can lead to gas leaks. If you notice that any of these are a potential issue, you should contact a repairman immediately.

Repair worn out parts before installing new ones

Finally, it’s also important to take care of any worn out parts before installing new ones. For example, if your burner unit is no longer producing the right amount of heat, you should repair the burner unit itself. If the burner unit has been installed incorrectly, you can often repair it without replacing it.If you repair damaged parts before installing new ones, you can save yourself a lot of money and hassle.

Conclusion

When it comes to repairing your own gas-fired appliance, there are lots of benefits. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also have more control over the repair process.However, before you decide to repair your own gas-fired appliance, you should first check to make sure the appliance is actually repairable. If the appliance is beyond repair, it’s best to replace it with a new model.