Easing concerns over tank-type water heater

Q. Is there any way to prevent my tank-type water heater from eventually flooding my basement, which has no floor drain?

A. There are several things you can do, depending on how worried you are about the risk and how much money you are willing to spend.

You appear to be worried about the water heater bursting, which does occasionally happen and can cause a great deal of damage. But some tank-type water heaters last for many years without problems.

The usual cause of a serious problem is a faulty temperature and pressure relief valve, or TPR valve. This valve is generally on or near the top of the tank and has a small handle and spout; a pipe sometimes runs from the valve to near the floor.

Some experts recommend testing the valve once a year to make sure it works; this is done by lifting the handle of the valve and releasing a little water into a cup or tin can (caution: the water can be very hot).

Unfortunately, once the valve is opened, it can be very difficult to close it again; it will sometimes continue dripping or releasing a small amount of water until replaced. The valves are not expensive or difficult to install, so an annual test might be worthwhile even if a replacement valve is needed.

If the TPR valve starts releasing water on its own, it is a sign that the tank has a pressure or high-temperature problem and should be examined by an experienced plumber.

Sometimes the water pressure coming into the house can be reduced; a pressure of 50 to 70 psi is often recommended. A pressure-regulating valve can also be installed in the incoming water line to correct high pressure.

If you need to drain water from the tank to remove sediment, use a pan to catch it or attach a hose running to a laundry tub (if there is one in the basement).

Also consider one or more of the following other strategies:

• When you are away from the house for more than a couple of days, turn off the power or gas to the water heater during your absence.

• If the water heater is more than about 10 years old, consider replacing it; a new heater is less likely to have problems than an old one.

• Check the tank and plumbing regularly for signs of leaks; make immediate repairs if any leaks are spotted.

• Switch to a tankless water heater, which provides instant hot water on demand.

If it is not possible to install a floor drain, a sump and sump pump would give some protection against flooding.

A cheaper alternative to a sump pump is to install a small, submersible pump that will sit on the floor and kick in if a small amount of water accumulates; these pumps are sold at some home centers along with outlet hose that should be run to the outside.

Q. We have old toilets that use a lot of water when flushed. We want to equip them to have only a partial flush with liquid waste. Where can we buy equipment to do this?

A. If you can’t find a dual-flush kit at a home center or hardware store near you, there are plenty of sources on the Internet. Use a search engine and the words dual flush toilet conversion kits.

The kits generally cost $30 to $40 each. You will save some water by dual flushing, but keep in mind that you are adding another mechanism to old toilets that probably already have some worn parts.

An alternative is to start replacing the old toilets with new water-saving, high-performance toilets. These toilets use only 1.6 gallons of water per flush, while many old toilets use five gallons or more.

A high-performance toilet can be bought for about $150, and professional installation usually costs another $150 or so. It isn’t difficult to install a toilet yourself, following directions supplied with it, if there are no problems with the connecting plumbing.

Water-saving toilets earned a bad reputation for clogging when they were introduced in the 1990s, but the problems have largely been solved and new toilets generally perform as well or better than old, water-wasting toilets.

Q. My plastic laminate floor is getting dull. Can I varnish it?

A. Plastic laminate floors can’t be refinished. Varnish or similar coatings would probably peel and flake off in a short time.

The best bet is to use a cleaner-polish intended for laminate floors. If you know the brand of your flooring, check with a dealer of that brand to see what cleaner-polish is recommended.

If you don’t know the brand, you should be able to find a suitable cleaner-polish at any laminate-floor dealership.