When we turn on the hot water tap, we take it for granted that our water heater is in good working order and we’ll get hot water. When we don’t, it’s time for a water heater repair/replacement. So how do you know when it’s time to repair or replace? Here are some things to check:
- Is there water around the tank?
- If the answer is yes, then it’s time to replace the tank. There is no way to repair a leaking hot water tank.
- If you don’t see water around the tank, then there may be a simple fix.
- Do you have a gas water heater?
- If you do, your pilot light may be out.
- How do you know if it’s out? You won’t see a tell-tale blue flame located under the tank. In most models, there’s a little window that will show you the pilot light.
- If you don’t see the flame and you smell gas, use the shut-off valve on the gas feed line to shut the gas off. Now is the time to call a plumbing professional; leaking gas lines need to be addressed IMMEDIATELY by someone qualified to diagnose and repair them.
- Open a window and be sure to ventilate the area by placing a fan to help direct the gas to the open window. You’ll want all of the gas to disperse before you attempt to relight the pilot light.
- Turn the gas back on when you’re prepared to relight the pilot light.
- Do you have an electric water heater? If so, there are a few things to check.
- Find the water heater’s breaker. Is it still on or has it tripped? If it’s tripped, then switch it back on.
- If the breaker is still on, then check the hot water tank’s reset button. It may be located in the access panel on the side of the tank. Press it to restart.
Note: If the breaker or the high-temperature re-set button on the water heater shut off, you may have an electrical problem that has nothing to do with the tank, but it will keep you from having and enjoying hot water.
- If neither of these is the problem, then it may be a heating element.
If your water heater is more than 10 years old, it may be time to replace it. A typical life expectancy for a water heater is between 10 and 15 years. Older water heater tanks can fail dramatically, with all of their contents flooding your home. If you’ve ever experienced that kind of epic fail, you don’t want to go through it again! With an older tank, our professionals at Sav-On Plumbing would advise a water heater replacement rather than a repair to keep your home dry for another 10 years. You may not realize it, but a new water heater can be more efficient, saving you money every month.
If your water heater is less than 10 years old and you’ve kept it in good working order, a water heater repair can save you hundreds of dollars. Replacing the heating elements can be a quick fix for the more advanced DIY-er, or a quick service call to one of our service professionals at Sav-On Plumbing.
Water heater repair or replacement is only one of the many ways we can help preserve your household harmony. Give us a call today.