Unless you live off the grid and have adapted to taking fewer hot showers, you have a genuine appreciation for your water heater. Of course, some people don’t give their hot water heater a second thought—until it stops working.
At that point, there’s a decision to make about hot water heater replacement vs. repair of your current unit.
We’ve put together a brief guide designed to help you make the best choice. We’ll discuss the various repairs you can make in this post. Then, we’ll share tips on knowing when to go ahead and replace your water heater.
You’ll know what you need to do by the end of this post.
Hot Water Heaters Give Warnings
Sometimes, a water heater quits working without warning. However, it’s more common for a water heater to let you know it needs attention long before a complete breakdown. The signs might be subtle, but paying attention to them could save you from waking up to that cold shower.
The most obvious warning sign is turning on the hot water faucet and getting nothing more than lukewarm water. Here are the other most common warning signs:
- Fluctuations in water temperature
- Reduced hot water pressure
- Rusty water at the faucet
- Cloudy water
- Unpleasant odor
- Loud noises
These are all relatively subtle hints of an imminent problem. They may not seem like a big deal at first, but each indicates a call for attention. In most cases, a repair will take care of the issue.
Common Causes of Hot Water Heater Failure
Waking up to no hot water is the worst way to start the day. You immediately begin trying to figure out the problem. While it’s always best to contact a hot water heater repair specialist to troubleshoot, the culprit is usually one of the following components:
Gas water heater
- Gas valve
- Thermocouple
- Pilot light
Electric water heater
- Blown fuse
- Thermostat
- Heating element
Another problem to consider with a gas water heater is the gas supply. It’s a good idea to make sure you’re getting natural gas or propane to your appliance.
When Is It Time for Hot Water Heater Repair?
Generally, you can have your water heater repaired. It depends on whether someone can replace the parts listed above.
A faulty thermostat on an electric water heater or a bad thermocouple on a gas appliance makes a good case for repair. A blown fuse should be an easy repair, but if blown fuses become a routine fix, you’ll need to explore any underlying electrical issues.
A savvy homeowner can often replace heating elements and pilot lights.
Don’t feel guilty if you’re not up to the task or prefer to spend weekends on things other than DIY home repair projects. Call your water heater repair specialist and relax.
One More Subtle Warning Sign
You might shake your head when you read the following sentence but hold on for a second before passing judgment. Leaking water can indicate a problem, and you may not even know it’s happening.
In this case, we’re not talking about the massive flood that happens when the inside of a conventional tank-style hot water heater rusts and gives out.
Water will trickle down the unit if you have a small leak somewhere in your water heater. You likely won’t notice anything, including the damage done by that tiny trickle of water.
Unfortunately, if ignored, a small hot water leak can lead to substantial damage to the unit itself and your home.
What do you do then if you can’t detect a leak? Routine maintenance by a qualified water heater professional is your first defense against slight leakage.
Can You Repair a Leaking Water Heater?
First, if you find even a tiny leak, you should refrain from using the water heater until you call a professional. Why? A water heater leak is ultimately an inside problem.
Generally, a water heater starts leaking because of sediment buildup. Although your hot water heater provides signs of buildup, it’s not visible from the outside.
Sediment control is the primary reason you should regularly flush your water heater. This is a maintenance task your plumbing professional can also take care of for you.
A buildup of sediment, over time, will result in rusting of the tank. If ignored long enough, the tank could crack, causing a river of water in your utility room (and the surrounding area).
By the time most homeowners realize they have leakage, it’s too late. Once you have a cracked tank, it’s too late to repair it. At that point, it’s time for a hot water heater replacement.
How to Know When to Replace a Hot Water Heater
Your water heater may have passed the point of repair and what you need is a brand-new appliance. Here are three things to consider when determining if you should go ahead and plan for a replacement:
- Age
- Inefficiency
- Maintenance
The average tank hot water heater lasts approximately 12 years. A tankless unit may give you 20 years of service. An aging water heater may require more repairs than usual — a definite sign of the need for replacement.
Another reason to consider hot water heater replacement is inefficiency.
We’re not necessarily talking about higher energy bills, although inefficiency does lead to that. An inefficient water heater is too small for your household. Perhaps, you’ve increased the number of people living with you or changed your hot water habits.
Your water heater professional can help determine whether the size is an issue.
Finally, look at your maintenance records. If it’s been a few years since you’ve performed routine maintenance, you may be ready for a new unit.
Need to Schedule Hot Water Heater Replacement?
Now that you’ve explored our guide to common water heater problems and the different situations that require repair or replacement, you should feel more confident making the final decision.
Hot water heater repair or hot water heater replacement?
Whether you need a simple repair or are ready for a new hot water heater, we can help. Here at Millwood Plumbing, we’re committed to helping you make the best decision.
Contact us today for a quote!