We all take hot water for granted until we get hit by an icy blast in the middle of a shower or you find a mysterious puddle under the water heater. That is when you start seriously considering a replacement, but is it the right time? Or is it worth trying Water Heater Repair before incurring the expense of finding a replacement? Fortunately, there are a few ways to know if a replacement is necessary or if your water heater can still be repaired. Let’s take a look.
Consider the Age of Your Water Heater
The average lifespan of a conventional water heater is approximately 8 to 12 years. If your faulty water heater is near or has surpassed this point, a replacement might be the most obvious choice, but if it’s only a few years old, repairing it might be the best choice for you unless something has gone catastrophically wrong with it. If you don’t know the age of your water heater because you have recently moved into your home, it might be a good idea to consult a professional plumber to help you make the choice of repairing or replacing it.
Take the Cause of the Breakdown into Account
Sometimes a Water Heater Repair job only requires the replacement of one or more moveable parts in order to get the water heater back to working normally. Some of these parts are the thermostat, the burner, the heating element, and valve sticks among others. Many of these moveable parts are not very expensive and a trained plumber in Normal, IL can get the job done quickly. If the problem is found in non-replaceable parts, such as a cracked tank or a gas leak, the best option is to consider replacing your water heater before the problem gets worse and starts causing damage to your home. Again, this is another scenario in which a professional plumber can provide enough information to help you make the correct choice.
Keep in Mind that Water Heater Repair May Not Be Enough and Replacement May Be Your Only Option
It’s not a mistake to try to be optimistic when your water heater breaks down. After all, it’s always good to hope for the best. But this is one of those cases in which being a little bit of a pessimist can work in your favor. If your water heater is giving you trouble, it’s always a good idea to start considering a replacement even before you bring in a professional to see if it can be fixed. If you know beforehand how much it will cost to replace your water heater, finding out it only needs a minor repair can be a breath of fresh air, but you will also be prepared for the worst-case scenario, which gives you time to set the money aside and have it ready when the time for replacement arrives. You can be prepared to replace your water heater by comparing the cost of Water Heater Repair with the cost of replacement. In some cases, you could find that for only a little more money you can install a new water heater and be done with the problem.
Have You Followed a Good Maintenance Schedule?
Water Heater Repair is not something that happens overnight. There are warning signs that let you know things are about to go wrong. One of the most common problems that result in having to replace your water heater is leaks. Let’s be real. Water heaters don’t spring leaks from one moment to the next. They are solidly built and leaks happen after years of dealing with corrosion and minerals in the water. A good maintenance schedule helps prevent buildup and extends the life of your water heater and will detect the smaller problems before they happen, such as a failing thermostat or a faulty pilot light. If you haven’t given proper maintenance to your water heater in years, keep in mind that no amount of Water Heater Repair may be enough to get it in good working order again and replacement may be your only choice.
Water Heater Repair or replacement is ultimately up to you and no one else. If, after you have considered all factors and taken your professional plumber’s opinion into account, you consider that repairing the problem is your best choice, don’t forget to follow up by organizing a good maintenance schedule. This can help you extend the remaining life of your existing water heater while preventing additional issues from becoming large problems. Keep in mind that sometimes you can’t avoid having to replace your water heater. When this happens, make sure you provide good maintenance from the start so you don’t run into unwanted problems again and your water heater’s life is both extended and optimized. Remember, there is no worse feeling than the one you get when you are taking a nice hot shower in the middle of winter and you suddenly get hit by icy cold water because your water heater broke down.
No matter what, whether you choose Water Heater Repair over replacement or vice versa when your water heater starts giving you grief in Normal, IL, you should call your friends at Covenant Plumbing right away. With some of the best plumbers and the foremost Water Heater Repair service in the area, at Covenant Plumbing no job is ever too big or too small for us to tackle. No hot water? No problem! We are happy to help you get the icy water out of your pipes in no time at all. Need a replacement water heater? Our professional plumbers are trained to help you make the choice by providing all the information and answers you could ever need. So, don’t hesitate, if your water heater has stopped working and is in need of repair in Normal, IL, give us a call today! We will be more than happy to get the problem fixed as quickly as we can.
