You’ve heard the stories. Your neighbor returned from vacation and discovered a pool in their basement. Yep. The water heater finally died. The thing is, water heaters all go at some point. And they go all over your floor. Water heaters typically last around 8-10 years. So, if yours is getting near that age or isn’t heating as good as it used to, it’s time to get it inspected. It’s worth a small investment to either keep it going a bit longer or replace it and avoid a costly and annoying leak.
Sometimes all you need is a quick fix. If water isn’t as hot as it used to be, a common reason is a faulty thermostat or a defective heating element. If you hear hissing or sizzling noises, it could be that sediment has collected in the tank and the heater needs to be flushed or the tank drained. You also may have a pressure valve that needs to be replaced. Most people don’t know it, but water heaters should be drained twice a year to get rid of collected sediment that causes corrosion and increase their efficiency.
Water heaters keep getting better and better. So if you need to replace your water heater, you probably have the option to replace it with a much more efficient model.
A few tips on selecting one:
- Note the gallon capacity (40-gallon and 50-gallon are most common)
- Look at the recovery rate (how fast it heats)
- Check out the size for your space
- Consider the energy efficiency rating because you can really save on your energy bill
A plumbing expert can tell you what’s wrong, perform any repairs or maintenance and if replacement is needed, take away your old water heater. If you’ve got a water heater that isn’t performing like it used to or is getting old, it’s worth a visit rather than risking a flood.
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