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.
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.
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