How to Know if Your Water Heater Should be Repaired or Replaced

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The cost difference between water heater repair & replacement may seem daunting, but the truth is that repair costs can outweigh the cost of a new water heater if they become a frequent occurrence. Here are some critical factors to look at when trying to decide whether the time has come to make that replacement.

Age

Most water heaters are only expected to last about 15 years before water heater repair & replacement becomes an issue. Under the right conditions, you may get as long as 20, but that would be pushing the limit and risking a major plumbing problem. For the best results, changing the water heater at around 12 years is recommended.

Water Quality

The quality of your hot water at the tap may deteriorate toward the end of the water heater’s span. The components that heat the water and the container tank itself may rust or corrode over time, contributing to residue in the water you use.

Reduced Water Temperature

The heating element will fail on rare occasions, and it collects a thick coating of minerals over time that can inhibit proper water heating. If the water usage has remained stable but the amount of hot water seems to be shrinking, you may need to have the water heater’s thermostat or heating element replaced. These are relatively inexpensive repairs and rarely need to be done more than once.

Tank Leaks

Metal tanks will eventually rust or lose integrity under pressure. If you notice water leaking out of the unit, replacement is probably your only alternative. You may also hear hissing or squealing noises if the leak is very small. Tank failure is rare, but it does happen more frequently in older water heaters. Replacing water heaters before they leak can prevent additional costs related to water leaks such as floor or ceiling damage. 

Rising Energy Costs

When a water heater is not functioning properly, it uses more energy to maintain expected performance. If your energy bills seem to be rising for no reason, it is probably a good idea to schedule a home inspection, and water heaters are a common culprit. 

Thermostats, valves, and heating elements are easily accessible and not expensive to replace. Most homeowners will never replace more than one or two of these items, but as water heaters begin to fail, one bad component can lead to other problems. Water heaters can be replaced quickly and eliminate the costs associated with multiple repair bills.

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

How to Maintain a Tankless Water Heater

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After having a tankless water heater installed by qualified water heater repair & replacement services, the homeowner is encouraged to perform routine maintenance periodically. How often you should purge the system depends on the condition of your home’s water supply, but should be done at least every 18-24 months. For larger families or locations with hard (iron- or calcium-rich) water, this process should be done more often.

Your water heater repair and replacement company will show you how the system is maintained after it is professionally installed. If you forget or have a problem, call the installers and they will be happy to assist you. The procedure is pretty simple, though, so you should be able to do it yourself.

Turn Off The System

Gas tankless water heaters may require you to turn off the main gas line coming into your home. If this is the case, make sure that you know where and how to restart the pilot lights of any devices that have them afterward. Electric tankless systems will have a dedicated circuit breaker that can be shut off without killing power to the whole house. Turn off all 3 of the valves entering the tankless water heater. 

Connect the Hoses

You should have been supplied with hoses that resemble the hoses used for washing machines when your tankless system was installed. If you do not know where they are or didn’t receive them, you can buy a set at your local hardware store. In some cases, the hoses are marked red for hot, blue for cold, and uncolored or even red for the house main.

Add Decalcifier or Vinegar

You can purchase a chemical decalcifier at the hardware store, or simply pick up a few gallons of white vinegar. Vinegar will have the same cleaning effect and it is available at many retail or hardware stores. Some people prefer to use vinegar because it is more natural, others prefer the chemical version because it works a little faster.

Flush the System

Open the purge valves and flush the system. You will need a large bucket, and some systems require you to connect a sump pump to complete the process. Check your manual for the specific method your system uses, look it up by model number online, or call your contractor for assistance.

Disconnect and Restart

Close the purge valves and reverse the process you used to shut the system down. Replace all port covers, and turn the valves on one at a time. Make sure that there are no leaks after each valve, and then move on to the next one. When you have restored water to the tankless system, turn on the circuit breaker or reignite your gas system. Run the water for a few minutes as a final rinse, and your system will be ready for normal use.

Any time you feel overwhelmed by the task of flushing out your tankless system, call your trusted home plumbing contractor. That will allow you to rest assured that the job is getting done right, and a licensed and insured contractor is covering the liability for any accidental damages that could occur.

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating provides 24/7 household plumbing services for homes and multifamily buildings. We pride ourselves on our professional and quality work. Contact us through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292 for residential plumbing services any time, any day of the week.

Major Reasons You’re Running out of Hot Water

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You know something’s wrong with your water heater when your daily routine hits a major disruption: no more hot water. Maybe it takes longer for your water to heat, or it only hits a lukewarm temperature. Worse, you might not get any hot water. If your hot water supply is dwindling, contact a water heater repair & replacement expert to investigate.

Your dip tube could be broken

As you use hot water, the dip tube pushes new water to the bottom of your tank so it can be heated. This ensures that your cold water is heated before it mixes with the rest of the tank. If the dip tube breaks, cold water escapes before it’s heated. It immediately mixes with the hot water and lowers the overall temperature, resulting in lukewarm water.

Broken dip tubes are typically caused by old age or faulty dip tubes. If this is the came, you might find broken pieces of your dip tube in your showerhead, drain cover, or hair strainer. Regardless, if your hot water has run out and is only lukewarm, you should reach out to residential plumbing services for water heater repair.

You might need pipe insulation

If you live in an area with a cooler climate, the pipes leading from your water heater might need to be insulated. Foam insulation sleeves reduce the heat escaping your pipes by the time they reach your shower or sink. If your pipes aren’t insulated, you could be losing up to 4 degrees of heat. This means your water heater needs more time and uses more energy to bring your water to an acceptable temperature.

Insulating your pipes won’t take long (about three hours for a small house), and in addition to increasing your water temperature, will increase your energy savings. You can always have a residential plumber assist if you’re not sure about what insulation material to use or how to cut and secure it.

Your water heater could be too small or too old

If you’ve moved to a new home and never had an adequate supply of hot water, it’s likely your water heater is too small. If you had enough hot water in the past but suddenly it’s running out, your household likely increased its use. There’s also the chance that your heating element is broken or the water heater itself is too old. A water heater repair & replacement expert can do an inspection to determine the cause.

If the water heater is too small and you can’t change your household needs, you should consider a new water heater. For a household of 2-3 people, your water heater should be at least 40 gallons large. For 3-4 people, increase to 50 gallons. For 5 or more people, 60 to 80 gallons is ideal. Larger households might use multiple water heaters simultaneously, such as two 40 gallon tanks or one 40 gallon tank and one 50 gallon tank.

Ask your local water heater expert for help estimating the proper size. When in doubt, go a little larger than your estimations. It’s better to have more hot water than you need than to run out.

Water Heater Repair & Replacement — Ehret Co. Plumbing & Heating

For professional help with your water heater, reach out to Ehret. Co Plumbing & Heating through our online contact form or call us at 510-528-4292. We offer quality water heater services, and are experienced with both storage and tankless heaters.