​In our last blog we discussed the average length of time you can expect a water heater to last, so if your water heater is starting to require maintenance, what should you do? Should you get it repaired or is it better to replace it entirely?
 
Water heaters will, over time, begin to develop issues and require maintenance. Some of the more common signs that there is a problem are puddles of water under the heater and cold showers, etc. But what if the water heater hasn’t started showing those signs yet and seems to be in good shape? Are the maintenance costs going to be more than the cost of replacing it when the time comes?
 
One thing to keep in mind with water heaters as we have previously mentioned is their average lifespan. Your first question should be, how old is the water heater? Does it still have its warranty? This, of course, is a good thing, but you may find that these warranties do not always cover the cost of labor which may end up being rather expensive. For example, one part of the water heater that commonly needs to be replaced every few years is the sacrificial anode. This can be a tricky job and, if not done correctly, the unit can be easily damaged. Replacing the anode may even void out some warranties. So, if your water heater is reaching the end of its lifespan and the anode has to be replaced, you may want to ask yourself whether it is worth doing the job to extend the heater's lifespan a little longer, or is it better to replace the water heater altogether?
 
One thing that will help you decide whether to replace your water heater is to see how much you are spending on average each year to maintain it. If it is more than 10 percent of the amount it would cost to install a new water heater, then it might not be worth all the time and effort to keep maintaining it. If you are unsure about what to do, why not get the water heater inspected? This way you will find out if it would be better to replace it or keep on repairing it.

​A water heater is an indispensable part of a home so a home inspector will pay particular attention to it during the home inspection. One question that homeowners frequently ask is how long does a water heater typically last before it needs to be replaced? In general, a water heater's lifespan is around 10 years, however, this will depend on a few different factors. Here are a couple of those factors:
 
The correct installation of a water heater plays a key role when it comes to how long it will last. Some homeowners decide to attempt the installation themselves in order to save money, but they may soon realize that it requires a lot more skill than they thought, particularly with tankless gas water heaters.  Water heaters must be installed in an upright position and in a well-ventilated area. You should not install a water heater in a location that could suffer flood damage as this can cause the exterior pipes to rust, decreasing their efficiency and lifespan. Another thing to keep in mind is that at some point you will need to have the water heater inspected so it should be placed in an easily accessible area.
 
The amount of use the water heater gets is another thing that will significantly affect its lifespan. Logically, the more water that has to be heated, the more stress this will put on the water heater as this means it has to work that much harder.
 
The quality of the water heater is another major factor that will determine its lifespan. As is the case with the majority of things, you get what you pay for, so a more expensive water heater is likely to last longer than a cheaper alternative. An easy way to tell if the water heater is of good quality is by checking to see how long the warranty lasts. Water heaters that come with a longer warranty tend to be constructed better which means they will have a longer lifespan.