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	INSIDE YOUR WATER HEATER CLOSET
	The Hot water circulating pump keeps a constant supply of hot water circulating around in a plumbing loop so that hot water is available almost immediately at any faucet. It is important that this be TURNED OFF at the switch in the closet when the water is turned off.  It is also good to turn off the circuit breaker that controls it. You MUST turn off the water heater circuit breaker when water is turned off to avoid damaging your water heater. Allowing this pump to run when no water can circulate WILL destroy it, and you will need to replace it at a cost exceeding $500
	The PRV (also known as a Temperature/Pressure Relief Valve allows water to escape when the internal temperature or pressure in the water heater is too high.  This prevents the tank from bursting. The PRV is a critical safety device required by code.  Be certain that it is present and is in good condition. Also check the drip leg as shown below.
	The drip leg, or discharge pipe, directs hot water toward the floor so that it does not injure someone or spray hot water around the room.  Make sure it runs into the drain pan and is not obstructed.
	This pipe runs out of the drain pan into a central drain system that prevents flooding of your unit and units below yours if the water heater begins to leak. Check to make sure it is not obstructed.
	There are many types of fittings that connect the various sections of metal and plastic pipes in your water heater closet.  Check each of these for corrosion and leaks. You will probably notice a metering device in the closet as well.  This measures how much water you use each month.
	This is a pressure regulator.  It literally determines (limits) how much water pressure is available in your household.  Keep in mind that if you live on a lower floor, the central plumbing system must have enough pressure to lift water up to the 12th floor while still maintaining adequate enough pressure at the faucets there.  For that reason, if there was no pressure regulator to reduce or limit the pressure in your home, your water pressure would be much too high, and might damage your plumbing or cause a severe leak. DO NOT TAMPER WITH THIS REGULATOR ! ! If you believe there is a water pressure problem, you should first check and clean all your aerators and the strainers in your washing machine hoses.  Apparent low water pressure is usually a symptom of sediments accumulating in an aerator or strainer.  (Especially when it seems to impact one faucet but not another.)
	Every member of your household should know where the water shut off valve is, in case it becomes necessary to shut off the water due to a leak. You should also turn off the water every time you leave the condo unattended for more than a day or two. The valve is open, or turned on, when the handle is lined up with the pipe.  It is closed, or turned off, when the handle is turned at a right angle to the pipe. Look for corrosion here as well as at the joint or tee in the water main shown below.
	The water main in each condo stack is two inches in diameter, and is under enough pressure to lift water to the penthouse level while still providing adequate pressure at that level. If this water main were to burst at any level, it would quickly flood every condo below it.  This is why it is important that we check it periodically for signs of failure.
	There may be several types and different sizes of water shut off valves in your water heater closet. You should become familiar with the function of each and the reason for its presence. For example, if you have a filtration system, there will be valves that you open and others that you close to make water bypass the filter system and to isolate that system when it is necessary to service it. Again, these valves are typically open when the handle is in line with the pipe and closed when the handle is perpendicular to the pipe.
	Every water heater should have a tag that provides details about capacity and wattage of the heating elements. This label should also provide the date of manufacture, so you can tell the age of your water heater.  This will usually be coded into the serial number of the water heater, but may also be displayed as a date on the tag. In the case of this State Industries water heater, the first two digits of the serial number represent the year, and the next two digits represent the week. This water heater was made the first week of 2013. What's the life expectancy for your water heater?  Various sources give figures like 8 to 12 years and 10 to 15 years.  It would not be unreasonable to plan on replacing your water heater every ten to twelve years.