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Factors you should consider before repairing or replacing your water heater

Factors you should consider before repairing or replacing your water heater.

When expensive home appliances, like the water heater, are not working correctly, we may face a dilemma whether to repair it or get a new one. While it costs a lot of money to get a new appliance, repairs can also dig a big hole in your pocket. This article focusses on factors you should consider before you decide to repair your water heater or choose to buy a new one.

Repairing the Water Heater:

There can be several reasons your water heater may not be working as expected. The simple problems as the burner or the heating unit not working correctly can be resolved for a low cost. If the problem is not severe, you can look into it with proper precautions, or call the expert to take care of it. In both cases, resolving the problem at the earliest will save you from the repercussions. Here is a list of water heater issues that can be solved without spending a lot of money and repairing the water heater is the best option.

  • The Circuit is broken
  • Unit Thermostat is damaged
  • Stuck water valve sticks
  • Pilot lights are not working

Buying a new Water Heater:

Complicated problems, such as the rust, resulting in corrosion and leaks, cannot be brushed off with repairs and may need replacing the unit altogether. Here is a list of issues where buying a new water heater is the best alternative.

  • A very old, damaged water heater can use a lot of energy resulting in increased electricity bills. Buying a new, energy-efficient water heater instead of repairing the old one is the best option here. 
  • A leak in the tank because of corrosion is another reason you might want to replace your water heater. Leaks are caused because of other internal issues as well and may not be solved easily. Leaks, if not fixed immediately can damage other parts of your house, increasing the expenses.
  • While repairing the water heater you also need to consider costs of other factors like the location and size of the heater, fixing nearby plumbing, drainage system, and the venting system. Sometimes, getting a new unit can be more feasible than spending a lot of amount on insignificant fixes.
  • Another reason to upgrade your water heater is the gallon size of the tank. Your family might need a bigger tank when new family members are added; using a small tank for a long duration may not be beneficial. It can be the opposite case as well, instead of wasting a lot of energy on a big tank; you can replace it with a smaller and economical one.

Switching to energy-efficient units, solar water heaters may be expensive at first, but they can help in paying off the initial cost by saving energy in the long term.

Easy tips to extend the life of the water heater:

Some situations may need you to face the dilemma of repair or replace your water heater, but using these tips, you can help the unit to last longer.

1) Maintenance flush: 

Over time, a thick layer of sediment settles down at the bottom of the water heater, especially if the water is hard. It can cause a lot of damage and result in extra effort to heat the water. It can also corrode the walls of the tank leading to leaks. Draining out the water from the tank regularly can flush out the sediment. The anode rod can wear out because of a lot of sediment accumulated over it. Inspecting the anode rod regularly and replacing it every 2-5 years can increase the life of your water heater.

Installing water softeners can reduce the mineral content of water, reducing the sediment build-up.

2) The pressure value: The T&P or TPR value helps to maintain the correct pressure in the water heater. This value opens up if there is too much water pressure, preventing dangerous explosions and damage to the water heater. The sediment build-up can lead to malfunctioning of the pressure valve. Checking the value regularly can prevent damage to the water tank.

3) Maintenance checks: Schedule regular maintenance checks to monitor leaks and other issues. Even smaller leaks can result in flooding basement or damaging household things that are closer to the water heater. Small leaks can be fixed at an early stage, but if ignored you might need to replace the entire unit.

Get help from your local Campbelltown Plumber

Sometimes to make the right decision you are going to need some help from a professional. If you are still feeling stuck call us(your local plumbers)  at 02 9158 6549 for a free quote. We will get your water heater back in action or advise you on getting a new one.