A professional can help you determine whether you should repair or replace your water heater.
Have you been having issues with your tank water heater lately? If so, you may be wondering whether repairing or replacing your water heater is in your best interest.
A water heater is an essential appliance in any home, and you want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your investment.
Choosing whether you should pay for repairs or get your water heater replaced altogether will depend on a few factors:
Keep in mind that there are two different types of water heaters: tank and tankless. In this blog, we’ll be talking about tank water heaters. If you have a tankless water heater and you’re looking for advice on repairing vs. replacing, contact us and we’re happy to help.
Tampa trusts the plumbing pros at Red Cap Plumbing & Air for all their water heater repair and replacement needs. Plus, if you’re ready to upgrade your home with a solar-powered water heater, look no further. Call us or schedule an estimate online today!
If your water heater is nearing 10-15 years old, it might be time to replace it.
On average, tank water heaters last between 10 and 15 years. So, the age of your water heater is something to consider when deciding between paying for repairs and replacing your unit.
If your system is only a few years old, it may be worth paying a few hundred dollars for a repair to keep your water heater working properly for 5+ more years. On the other hand, if your water heater is close to 10 years old or older, repairing it may only keep your system working for another year or so. In this case, it’s more cost-effective to replace your water heater now than repair it and need to replace it soon after.
Do you need to replace your water heater’s anode rod?
The type of repair you need primarily determines whether you should repair your water heater or replace it altogether. That’s because some repairs require expensive replacement parts, and sometimes the damage is beyond repair that a plumber would recommend a system replacement.
As a general rule of thumb, experts advise replacing your water heater if repairs are over $500 and if it's more than 8 years old.
If your tank water heater has a severe leak, plumbers typically advise homeowners to replace the entire unit rather than attempting to repair it. For more information, read our article, “Why Is My Water Heater Leaking?”
If the repair you need costs less than $500 and your water heater is less than 8 years old, it may be more cost-effective to repair your water heater than replace it. A professional plumber will be able to help you determine which option is best for you.
Most new water heaters come with a limited parts warranty from the manufacturer, which covers the cost of replacing faulty parts for 5-10 years (depending on the manufacturer). If you have a valid parts warranty, the cost of your repair may be partially or even fully covered, which makes repairing your water heater the better option for you.
If your parts warranty has expired or you don’t have a warranty, you will be entirely responsible for all costs associated with the repair. So, depending on which part is broken and needs replacing, it might be better to replace your entire unit rather than repair it.
To find out whether or not you have a limited parts warranty, search for your water heater model number on the manufacturer’s website or contact the manufacturer directly. Keep in mind that most water heater manufacturers require homeowners to follow specific guidelines for the water heater parts warranty to remain valid such as:
Contact Red Cap plumbers to provide water heater repair or replacement recommendations.
The plumbing pros at Red Cap Plumbing are ready to repair or replace your tank water heater today. We’ll give you an honest, upfront cost before we begin work, and we back everything we do with a satisfaction guarantee.
If you need a replacement, we’ll help you choose the perfect water heater system for your hot water needs and budget.
Maybe it’s even time to replace your tank water heater with a solar water heater so you can reduce your monthly bills, carbon footprint, maintenance needs and increase your home’s value in the long run.
Call us or request an appointment online for an estimate today!