WATER HEATER: WHEN TO REPAIR OR REPLACE YOUR WATER HEATER

R E P A I R
If you figure out that your water heater can be repaired, you may be able to do the work yourself. Though, if you choose to hire a professional plumber, ask him the following questions:

• The cost of the needed repair.
• In his point of view, what is the life span of the hot water heater after the repairs are completed.
• The price of a new water heater – including labor.

With this information, you will be able to decide if it’s worth your time and money to the repair the unit. Sometimes, even if water heater is repairable, the best decision, in the long-run, is to purchase a new one.

R E P L A C E
If you figure out that you need to replace your water heater, you should consider the following:

• Will you hire a plumber or install the water yourself? If you do-it-yourself you will need to dispose of your water heater.
• Did the tank size of your old water heater meet your current household needs? If not, you may want to purchase a larger tank.
• Will you replace your system with the same type? If you’ve been considering switching to a tank less water heater, this might be a good time.

Like any appliance, water heaters break down over time and need to be replaced. No one enjoys taking a cold shower, so preferably you’d like to be able to replace your water heater before it completely stops working. If you wait too long, it could lead to a much bigger problem. Such as, large leaks and water damage to your home.
So how do you know when it’s time for a replacement?  Here are the following signs to know when it’s time to replace your water heater.

1. Age

The older the water heater, the more probably it is to stop working. As a general rule, a tank style water heater will last, on average, 8 to 12 years.

1. Rust and Corrosion

Check your tank for rust and corrosion. Most hot water tanks are made out of steel and will eventually rust. You may even notice rust in your hot water as it’s drawn from the tap.

1. Drain valve does not drain water

Over time, sediment builds and settles inside the bottom of the water heater’s tank. If you have a gas water heater, you may have noticed a popping sound when the burner ignites.

1. The Hot Water Tank is Leaking

A leak from the hot water tank is usually caused by an internal problem and is rarely repairable. If you find leak is coming from the tank itself, you’ll most likely to need to replace your water heater.

1. Water is Luke Warm or Cold

Something is obviously wrong if you find your water isn’t as hot as it once was, or worse, it isn’t hot at all. There may be a problem with the electric thermostat or heating element. It’s not rare for these parts to fail entirely or simply malfunction over time.
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