Know Whether to Replace or Repair a Water Heater

Sudden, unexplained icy shower? Or maybe you found unexpected giant puddle in your basement or garage. It would seem that your water heater not operating normally. You now have to decide: Repair or replace? Which ever choice you go with, you’ll need a local plumber in Los Angeles that you can trust. That’s were JB Plumbing and Rooter comes in.

Most storage-tank water heaters have a life span of about ten years. If your water heater is only a few years old, repair may be the best option.

Because water heaters contain few moving parts, only a few things can go wrong and repair is straightforward. For gas water heaters, the pilot light can flicker out. For electric heaters, the circuit breaker could be tripped. Also, the thermostat could break or the valve sticks.

But if your problem happens in the latter years of the life span or if the unit is leaking, replacing your water heater is probably the better option.

If the tank is over ten years old, or if it is leaking, a new water tank is likely in your future. Over time, water minerals react with steel, corroding water heater tanks. Once a water heater tank springs a leak, it has to be swapped.

Newer water tanks are twenty percent more efficient, thus saving you money over the life of the water tank versus keeping an older water tank. New glass liners make tanks less prone to corrosion. Manufacturers now inject foam insulation between the tank and the outer shell, resulting in higher heat retention.

You can also replace with a tankless, heat pump, or solar water heater. These options are more costly upfront, but they offer a longer lifespan of up to thirty years.

Some replacement jobs might be just as simple as taking out the old heater and installing the new. You may have to also replace the mount, venting system, drain pan, or supply pipes as well.

Whether you repair or replace your water heater, they will last longer and perform better with regular maintenance. You can have a local plumber in Los Angeles come out and check your unit periodically.

At JB Plumbing and Rooter, we can help you solve these problems no matter which option you choose.