Should You Replace Or Repair Your Old Water Heater?
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leaky water heater

Should You Replace Or Repair Your Old Water Heater?

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Do you have a broken water heater? It can be hard to decide whether to get it repaired or just replace it and move on.

plumber working on a water heater

However, we will make this an easy decision for you. Just ask yourself the following 3 questions and once you have your answers, you will know exactly what you should do.

1. How serious is the problem?

Is the tank on your water heater leaking and corroded? That is something you really can’t salvage. So your only option in that situation will be to replace it. However, you can repair a pressure-relief valve or leaky drain valve.

For the different problems that can potentially be repaired, it is recommended by consmerreports.org that you get a repair estimate first. Then you can weigh that versus the expense of having to buy a new water heater.

The cost of a new water heater will depend on:

– The cost of the water heater itself
– The plumber’s installation rates

However, Homewyse.com has provided the following general estimates:

The average cost for replacing a hot water heater: $616.06-$785.99.

The average cost for installing a tankless hot water heater: $835.52-$1,063.38.

Note: Installing a tankless water heater might cost more than what is mentioned here since extra plumbing might need to be done if you haven’t had a tankless water heater before.

If repairs are costing you close to half or more than what it would cost to buy a new water heater, then you should consider replacing your old one and buying a new water heater. The older that a water heater is the less you should tolerate the cost of having to repair it.

2. How old is your water heater?

The following are the average lifespans for water heaters:

– Tankless water heater: 20 years or longer
– Storage water heater: 10-15 years

If you have never had any yearly water heater maintenance done, then the lifespan of your water heater is going to be a lot lower compared to the averages, so just remember that.

If your old water heater is almost at the end of its average life and isn’t covered under warranty any longer, then it is a good idea to invest in a new water heater. Even when your repair costs are not high.

Why is that?

Because there is a good chance that next year you will have to repair it. And you will really be kicking yourself for spending money on a water heater that was about to die.

3. How often do I complain about my hot water?

Are you complaining a lot about not having enough hot water? Are your water heating bills high? Do you have low water pressure?

If so when combined with the factors of old age and expensive repairs, it is time for your water heater to be replaced.

Tankless vs. storage water heaters

If you make the decision to replace your old water heater, you will want to consider whether to get a tankless (on demand) or storage water heater.

Obtain accurate estimates

For accurate water heater installation or repair estimates, call us for assistance.

How Do You Deal With A Leaking Water Heater

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Is your water heater leaking? If so, you have come to the right place. A water heater can leak due to many problems – starting from a loose valve to a corroded water tank. If you find water pooling near the heater or dripping from the tank or pipes, there are many things to do to stop the leak. This article provides information on how to deal with a leaking water heater.

plumber working on a water heater

Turn Off Your Tanks’s Water Supply

The first step to deal with a leaking water heater is to turn off the water supply to the tank. The heater should have a shut-off valve on the cold inlet pipes. If the tank has a ball-type valve, you need to turn the handle of the valve 180 degrees. On the other hand, if the tank has a gate-type valve, turn the wheel clockwise as far as you could. If the valve is broken or rusty, you can turn off the water supply to your home.

Turn Off the Unit’s Power Supply

The next step is to turn off the power supply to the water heater. If an electric water heater, you should shut off the power at the breaker before working with the heater. In case the water heater is gas-powered, you should shut off the gas supply before working with the heater. The gas line leading to the tank should have a dedicated shutoff valve.

Leak Detection

The final step is to determine the exact location of the leak. Once you shut off the water and power supply to the tank, you can easily assess the location of the leak. You need to check the inlets, outlets, pressure relief valve, bottom of the water heater, water pressure, and temperature of the heater to determine the exact location of the leak.

Although these instructions will help you, most people should call a professional water heater repair service in the area to repair a leaking water heater.

Choosing The Right Water Heater For You

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When choosing the best heater for the home, one needs to select a system that can provide water in enough quantities, smartly, and efficiently. Doing this will save you money in the long run and will make it last longer than the other conventional models.

plumber working on a water heater

With the growing modern trends, today’s heaters are better than their older counterparts and even have an energy factor(EF). The higher it is, the more efficient it is. But this is not the only thing to consider when choosing a water heater. Below are some additional points to consider.

Capacity

Tankless water heaters are one of the new trends that are there right now. The best thing about them is that they only heat water when it is needed and will never run out of water. It also requires a little space to function.

You can save up to around 50% off your normal water heating bill by using this heater, depending on your consumption. It avoids standby heat loss while still supplying an endless amount of hot water as opposed to the storage tank water heater that has a limited supply.

Warranty

Water heaters have coverage that spans for around three to twelve years — the more extended the warranty, the better the quality of the heater. You may have to pay for a bit more for those that have a longer warranty, but it will be worth it.

They have larger elements that will speed up the water heating process. They also have thicker insulation for ensuring the heat loss is way lesser than their counterparts. Choosing the heater with the most extended warranty will be a plus for you.

When it comes to choosing a new water heater, keep in mind efficiency is critical.

The more efficient it is, the longer it will last. With the above points, you can now select the best heater for you comfortably.

3 Signs Your Water Heater Is In Trouble

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Many homeowners in Charlotte and the surrounding areas don’t truly appreciate the importance of having reliable hot water until something goes wrong. Hot water has a wide range of daily uses within a home including washing dishes, laundry, taking a relaxing bath or shower, and so on.

However, for you to have a constant flow of hot water, you need to ensure that your water heater is in good working condition.

3 signs you need to call a plumber to have your water heater inspected and/or repaired

1) Your Hot Water is Dirty

In case your water heater uses a tank, the water first enters the tank where it is heated then sent through the hot water pipe to your faucets, shower stall, or tub. However, the water can easily become contaminated in case the heating tank itself is damaged or corroded.

water heater repair

If you happen to notice that dirty/rusty water is coming out while taking a shower or washing dishes, then you might be dealing with a damaged water heater.

2) The Heater is Making Unusual Noises

If you start hearing strange sounds coming from the hot water tank when you turn on your hot water faucet or shower/bathtub, this is another sign that your water heater is in trouble. This noise could be caused by the build-up of sediments. Considering that the water your heater receives from the city supply isn’t usually 100% clean, sediments tend to build up inside it over time.

When this build-up becomes excessive, it can start to harden. Based on where the sediment has hardened, this can cause your heater to produce bangs and rumbling sounds, as it struggles to overcome this obstacle.

3) Leaking Water Heater

If you notice that your heater is leaking, you should call an emergency plumber immediately. This is something that you can’t afford to take lightly. Having a heater that is leaking is an indication of a very serious problem.

Call a plumber now to fix your water heater

We hope this information has been helpful. Of course, if you need a plumber to come look at and possibly fix your water heater we should be your first choice in the Charlotte area. We are available 24/7 and will send a top-notch plumber to your home or business immediately after you call.

Should You Be Draining Your Water Heater?

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How frequently do you change the oil in your car? Depending on the model and make, it is possible that this occurs every 3000 to 5000 miles or 3 to 5 months. Changing the oil in your car regularly contributes to everything running smoothly while extending the overall life-span of the car.

new water heater

The same applies to water heaters. The majority of the manufacturers suggest flushing these water heaters at least every 12 months. Yet there is also a major warning: You have to ensure you maintain your water heater consistently, in the way of making sure you drain it out at least once a year, or you could experience a very leaky mess.

Here is more information on what you need to know about draining a water heater.

Why Consistent Water Heater Draining Is So Important

When sediment starts to accumulate along the bottom of a water tank, this debris is typically not distributed evenly and usually collects in specific spots. These are the areas that are then exposed to higher heat, as this sediment starts to displace the water that is lying in the bottom area of the water tank.

This increase in heat breaks the steel down faster in these areas, which results in thinner metal and more potential failure areas. An inspection conducted every 6 to 12 months by a plumber that is certified can remove the sediment and make sure your Water Heater remains in the best condition.

Avoid Do-It-Yourself Water Heater Maintenance

After many years of the sediment building up, the steel might have become thin enough that it now has small holes in it. The current sediment usually acts as a “plug” for these weakened areas in the tank. Think about what would happen when the tank is flushed out after a number of years of accumulated sediment. This sediment is flushed from these holes or thinning areas which is followed by your tank springing one or more leaks.

This is the reason why regular maintenance becomes so important. If you have not flushed the water heater for a number of years or ever, never risk trying to do this on your own. Rather contact our professionals to conduct a thorough inspection and for maintenance procedures for your water heater. We take the utmost care to examine water heaters followed by the appropriate course-of-action.

It is very easy to forget about water heater maintenance, so you may want to think about it more to ensure you never forget, and that your water heater is always serviced on time. If you are looking for more information about the processes involved in draining water heaters, schedule your appointment or ask us today!

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