Things to Know About Repairing Your Water Heater

Water heaters may get their own closet in your home, but otherwise receive very little attention until something goes wrong. Their purpose is simple, but when they break they are hard to ignore. Water flows into the tank and is heated by gas or electric power. When the system fails the most obvious sign your water heater is on the fritz is if it doesn’t do its job of heating water. However, leaking water heaters are a possibility that need to be addressed as well. How do you know whether to repair or replace your water heater?

When to Repair Your Water Heater

While it’s best to call a specialist when your water heater is on the fritz, there are a few ways to determine whether it likely just needs to be repaired (instead of replaced). Since water heaters are simple devices, there aren’t a lot of things that can go wrong. However, you’ll still need a qualified expert to fix them. The cold water goes into the heating tank where a thermostat monitors the temperature.

When your water heater isn’t working here are some things you can check. If you have gas heated machine, make sure the pilot light isn’t out. If you have electric you can ensure the circuit breaker didn’t trip. If the pilot light or electric is on and you still have a problem it could mean a broken heating element, thermostat or valve. A plumber can come out to determine for sure and fix your water heater for you. If you aren’t sure, search for a local contractor by typing “water heater repair Las Vegas NV” into your web browser.

When to Replace Your Water Heater

The first reason to spring for a new water heater may be the age of your current one. Most water heaters are expected to last about 10 or so years before needing replacement. If your water heater is over a decade old and starting to work improperly or leak, it’s probably a safe bet that you should buy a new one. While shelling out the funds to replace your home or business’s water heater may seem like an unwelcome thought, there is a silver lining to replacing it. A newer water heater will be more efficient than your old one and save you money on your monthly utility bills.

Overtime the interior of the tank becomes corroded. Leaking is a sure sign of the end of their life. Other signs are rusty water. If you aren’t sure if the rusty water is galvanized pipes or the water heater drain a few buckets of water directly from the heater. If after about 15 gallons, it’s still looking rusty than your heater is to blame. A water heater that runs loudly is also likely to be close to life. However, new models on the market now are better in several ways. For starters, their insulated sides increase energy efficiency. They also are made of new materials resistant to corrosion to increase their lifespan.