Your water heater works hard every day to ensure you enjoy consistently hot water. Being surprised by a cold shower or having to endure fluctuating temperatures are sure signs that your water heater needs attention.
But how do you know if you should repair or replace your water heater? In this practical decision guide, we walk you through the main factors to consider to help you make the right decision about your water heater replacement or repair.
Assess The Age Of Your Water Heater
Determining the age of your water heater will help you to decide on a repair or a replacement. Attempting to repair an aging water heater could end up costing you more in the long run. Standard water heaters and tankless water heaters have different life spans with clear cut-off timelines to consider.
Standard Water Heaters
Standard water heaters have a typical life span of 8 to 12 years.
If you’re encountering a malfunction and your heater is older than 8 years, it might be time to replace your water heater. A safe guide is to use the 10-year benchmark as a deciding tool. A malfunctioning water heater that’s 10 years or older is likely to deteriorate further and should be replaced. A professional plumber will be sure to assess the condition of your water heater and advise on a possible water heater replacement or repair.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters offer a longer lifespan at around 15 to 20 years.
This is largely because they don’t store standing water in a tank. If you aren’t sure if you have a tankless heater, simply take a look at its shape and size. Tankless water heaters are smaller than conventional water heaters and are usually a rectangular shape and mounted onto a wall. Your trusted plumber will be able to advise you on your type of water heater and its age.
Keep Track Of Your Repair History
High-quality water heaters are low-maintenance appliances that shouldn’t require frequent repairs; however, it’s best to keep a record of any repairs incurred on your water heater. If you’ve had to get it repaired more than once over the past 12 to 24 months, this is cause for concern, as all these repair costs can quickly accumulate to a similar cost of a newly installed water heater.
Keep in mind that the more repairs you’ve had to do on your existing water heater, the higher the consideration should be towards a replacement.
The 50% Rule Of Thumb
The 50% rule is a simple way to decide if a repair is worth the cost. If a single repair estimate comes to 50% or more of the cost of a newly supplied and installed unit, then it’s not worth the repair.
Remember too that a water heater replacement runs more efficiently than an older one. It’s worth factoring in the increased energy consumption from an older unit over and above the cumulative repair costs.
Assess The Type of Failure
Some water heater failures are relatively inexpensive to fix, while others are not worth repairing.
When You Should Repair Your Water Heater
The following problems are fairly straightforward to repair by a professional plumber.
Faulty Thermostat
A faulty thermostat is a common problem on electric water heaters. If you’re experiencing a complete loss of hot water or even lukewarm water, it could be a result of a malfunctioning thermostat.
Leaking Pressure Relief Valve
Faulty pressure relief valves can cause minor leaks. Relief valves can fail as a result of debris build-up, overheating, or general wear and tear. Luckily, they are fairly straightforward to replace.
Failed Heating Element
Heating elements can deteriorate over time. Although replacing a heating element is a quick process, it requires specialized equipment.
When You Should Replace Your Water Heater
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s worth speaking to your plumbing professional about a replacement.
Leaking Water Tank
Your water tank forms the main component of your water heater. Water tanks corrode over time due to atmospheric exposure, expansion and contraction, and sediment buildup. The only sensible option is for a water heater replacement. Even early signs of corrosion are reason enough to consider a replacement.
Sediment Build-Up
If you’re hearing a knocking or rumbling sound from your water heater, it could be a result of sediment build-up at the bottom of your tank, which leads to corrosion and leaking.
Timing Your Tankless Upgrade
When it’s time to replace your water heater, some clear benefits that are worth considering when it comes to investing in a tankless upgrade, including:
- Longer lifespan on your tank
- Consistent hot water on demand
- Lower energy bills
- Smaller storage footprint
- No standby heat loss
It’s best to carefully consider installation requirements that are unique to your home, such as your electrical capacity, the number of appliances requiring hot water, and gas availability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Water Heater Repair
Why Does My Hot Water Smell Like Rotten Eggs?
This unmistakable odor coming from your hot water points towards the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas in your hot water. This points towards a bacterial issue in your tank.
Why Is The Water From My Faucets Murky?
A murky or rusty color coming from your hot water faucet is a sign of a failing water heater. It could be a corroded anode rod or corrosion on the walls of your water tank.
Why Has My Energy Bill Spiked Recently?
An unexplained sudden increase in your monthly electric or gas bill could be the result of an inefficient water heater. This is usually the result of failing components or severe sediment buildup, which causes an insulation barrier and forces your heater to work harder.
Water Heater Replacement in San Antonio and Hill Country
At Eager Plumbing, we provide comprehensive water heater repair and replacement services. As a family-owned business with decades of experience, we offer minor water heater repairs to complete water heater replacements. And as licensed plumbers, we offer a high-quality work ethic with transparent pricing that Hill Country residents know and trust.
Rest easy knowing that our team of professional plumbers will always assess your water heater’s condition before making the best-suited recommendation. With a fast response time, we handle all plumbing emergencies, including a leaking or faulty water heater.
Cold showers aren’t the Texas way! Call our team today at 830-999-PIPE for all water heater repairs and replacements.