There are many different residential water heaters available these days, all used for taking a hot shower or washing dishes or clothes daily. Like other appliances, water heaters have a limited lifespan. That’s why timely water heater repair in Cambridge is important to keep your home comfortable and your hot water supply consistent. Here are some tips from Minuteman Plumbing & Heating on whether you need a simple repair or a complete replacement.
First, we must understand the expected lifespan of a water heater: water heaters can live above average for ten to fifteen years, but need to be adequately cared for. All these depend on several independent variables, such as the type of water heater, installation quality, and frequency of maintenance. If your heater is close to or beyond this period, it requires greater attention concerning its work pattern.
Most of the time, water heaters will not require replacement at that moment; they may need repairs. Here are a few common signs that may indicate a problem that can be repaired instead of replaced:
When you have no hot water from the taps, or if it runs hot for a short duration and never stays warm enough, your water heater is likely malfunctioning. It could be a thermostat and heating element fault, or sediment may need cleaning. The plumber may be able to identify problems and repair them without necessarily replacing the complete system.
Popping, grumbling, or cracking sounds come from the heater when sediment builds up at the bottom of a tank. These noises indicate extra effort by the electric elements of the heater to heat the water. Usually, flushing the tank and removing the sediment will eliminate the noise.
Recognizing small leaks or pooling water around your heater early makes them fixable. If you see water at the base of the water heater, call a Minuteman Plumbing & Heating plumber at once. The small leak you see today could become big trouble tomorrow if you ignore it- and not every little leak means you need to replace the entire water heater immediately.
One primary reason for this discolored tap water is the presence of corrosion or rust. This does not mean the water heater must be replaced; it deserves an evaluation. Damages from moderate to severe could be repaired, cleaned, and rehabilitated back into operation.
Gas water heaters have an intermittent pilot light problem, while electric water heaters heating elements can face various issues. These repairs can often be performed to fix the water heater instead of replacing it.
There are indeed all those types of problems that can be repaired. There are times, however, when replacement might be needed. The following signs would dictate that, yes, this might be the time for a water heater replacement:
As previously mentioned, the average lifespan of a water heater is from 10 to 15 years. If your water heater is older than this, it might even be good now, so think about a possible replacement. Older ones are not energy efficient, meaning higher running costs, and they are also bound to fail one day or another.
Some water heaters are either repaired or replaced. It simply means frequent repairs. The repair cost can soon pile up, and this may indicate your unit has already lost reliability. Investing in a new water heater will benefit you more financially in most cases.
Modern water heaters are primarily energy-efficient, helping you save money on utility bills. If your water heater is old and working inefficiently, going for a contemporary model will make you some extra cash. With a high-efficiency water heater, you will be consuming less energy for the same amount of hot water, thus profoundly impacting your monthly costs.
When your water heater has completed its life cycle and can no longer be repaired, it is time for a replacement. A total shutdown means that the tank and/or heating element is in sad shape and cannot be repaired any longer.
Minuteman Plumbing & Heating understands that properly running a water heater is critical. Our experienced plumbers are on board to repair or replace your unit, be it a simple repair or something at the other end, like a complete replacement. Stop asking and start calling us for any query about your water heater; we will be right over to inspect it and propose the best option available for your home and budget. Please don't wait for the hot water to cut off entirely--call us today and keep those showers hot! For plumbing services, you need to think of Minuteman Plumbing & Heating to meet your needs through expert advice, repair, and replacement of your water heater. Call now for more information!
