The Ultimate Guide to Water Heater Repair and Replacement
A water heater that is acting up is a problem we experience regularly in life. Nothing is worse than taking a cold shower on a cold morning! Having seen many faulty water heaters, we put together this guide to aid Connecticut homeowners in diagnosing their water heater problems. We are here to educate you on your water heater needs and help your repair the old tank!
How Long Do Water Heaters Last?
According to HomeAdvisor, traditional hot water heaters last approximately 10 years. And after so many uses, water heaters are not worth repairing and are better off being replaced. When the tank gets corroded, and the anode rod and heating elements start to fail, it might be time to replace you water heater with a new one. You might also want to consider the benefits of a tankless water heater, too. While a plumbing professional can replace a bad thermostat, a tank that gets corroded needs to be replaced. Corrosion is the biggest enemy to water heaters and “hard” water will speed up corrosion of your tank. If you have hard water, you might want to consider installing a water softener to remove the hard elements in the water.
Common Water Heater Problems
Here are some of the common water heater problems we see in Connecticut homes and businesses…
- Anode Rod & Heating Elements: These parts of the heater are the most likely to have issues. The sacrificial anode rod is designed to corrode inside your tank to preserve the other elements of the tank. Over time, it can become so corroded that it stops working properly. The upper and lower heating elements in the tank ensure that the water gets heated evenly, and they can break at any time.
- Bad Thermostat: If you do not have hot water, do not panic! It could just be a malfunctioning thermostat, and is a simple fix!
- Tank Corrosion: When the tank corrodes, there is not much else you can do other than replace it. Usually a fix in this situation will be temporary.
- Pressure Relief Valve: The pressure relief valve is designed to release built up pressure in the tank from the heating of the water. This valve ensures proper pressure in your water heater tank, so when it is not working properly or leaking, it could be a serious problem.
So, How Should I Maintain My Tank?
It is best to maintain your tank over time so you do not need to replace it. We offer water heater tank maintenance service in Connecticut. Some of the common maintenance services we perform on water heaters are as follows:
- Sediment Buildup Removal: Overtime, minerals in water will buildup in the bottom of your tank. This sediment build up can cause your water heater to make noises and not function properly. We can help descale or flush the tank to remove the sediment.
- Sacrificial Anode Rod Check: During a regular water heater maintenance service, we will check the anode rod to make sure it is working properly. A bad or totally corroded anode rod will cause your heater to operate inefficiently.
Repair or Replace?
Due to the cost of replacing a water heater, many homeowners elect to repair their water heaters first. Some of the common repairs we perform are: sacrificial anode repair, pressure relief valve repair and heating element repair. All of these repairs will extend the life of your water heater as long as they are performed in a timely manner. When your tank is corroded, however, it is usually best to replace it. At that point, a repair service could cost just as much as getting a new water heater.
What’s The Smartest Move?
Water heater problems are a nightmare for many homeowners. We pride ourselves in educating our customers on their options and guiding them in the best direction to save money. We also offer financing on new water heater installations and tankless water heater installations to soften the blow financially. Need to talk about your water heater, call us today! (203) 937-2772