When You Need to Replace Your Water Heater. Water heaters are an essential part of modern life. Just about every experienced St. Louis plumber would agree on that. Showering and washing dishes without hot water would be difficult, at a minimum.
However, like most pieces of machinery, these water heaters wear down with time. Eventually, you'll reach a point when you need to get a new one. But how can you tell if it's time?
Blog Post Summary:
In today's article, we'll go over when you need to replace your water heater, how to properly take care of your new one, and how our premier water heater replacement services can help. If you think something is wrong with your water heater, call us today at (636) 742-2533, or contact us online to schedule a service appointment.
When You Need to Replace Your Water Heater in St. Louis
Your water heater needs to be replaced if it's older, heavily worn, or is damaged beyond repair. If you're only getting cold or lukewarm water out of the tap, that means something's wrong. The main other signs to watch out for are cloudy water, leaks, visible corrosion, age, and ineffective repairs.
Water Heater Replacement Signs: Water Quality
When there's a noticeable difference in water quality and heat, something is probably wrong. You aren't supposed to have cloudy water in St. Louis, so if you're noticing that, you should probably get a plumbing inspection to figure out what's wrong. When this is coupled with lukewarm water, it's more likely that your water heater is the culprit.
Water Heater Replacement Signs: Unit Condition
Looking at the water heater unit itself, watch out for excessive rust and/or leaking parts. A small leak can sometimes be fixed, but larger ones and puddles are often a sign that the device is too far gone. Rust, meanwhile, is a sign of irreversible wear.
Water Heater Replacement Signs: Machinery Lifespan
The lifespan for your typical water heater in St. Louis is about 10 years. With proper care, they can normally last a bit longer, but by around 12 years, it will be time to get a replacement. Newer water heaters can often be repaired because normally only one broken part is causing the issue. But if you're getting repair after repair and nothing is helping, you need to replace your water heater.
When Can You Repair a Water Heater Instead of Replacing It?
Repairing your water heater has a lot of appeal for St. Louis homeowners. It's generally cheaper and doesn't take as much time. Unfortunately, it's not always an option.
A repair is more likely to be effective for newer units and isolated issues – essentially the reverse of when you need a replacement. If there isn't much corrosion, there aren't any leaks, and/or your water seems clear, a repair can probably be an effective solution. In some cases, you might not even need to fix the water heater itself, and instead just need a pipe repair.
Your St. Louis Water Heater Replacement Checklist
- Current water heater is 10+ years old
- Water isn't hot enough
- Leaks and puddles around the water heater
- Hot water is cloudy or contaminated
- Unit has a worn, rusted appearance
- Previous repairs are ineffective
The more of these signs that you're seeing, the more likely it is that it's time for a replacement. If you're not sure, you can call a local St. Louis plumber to schedule an inspection.
Taking Proper Care of Your Water Heater in St. Louis
To get the most out of your water heater and extend its lifespan, you'll want to do the following at least once a year in St. Louis:
- Drain and Flush It: Safely draining the tank and flushing out any built-up debris prevents undue wear. One of our local plumbers can help you with this if you're not comfortable doing so yourself!
- Check the Insulation: Particularly for older water heaters, adding extra insulation on the outside will help it perform its job more efficiently. You can also add insulation to your hot water pipes for a similar effect.
- Adjust the Temperature: Most people are comfortable with a temperature around 120°, but you can adjust this to your preference. A lower temperature can extend water heater lifespans by reducing the amount of work it has to do.
St. Louis Water Heater Care: Water Lines and Hardness
Don't neglect the rest of your home's plumbing, either! If you have a broken water line, extra debris could be getting into your water heater, clogging it, and causing extra wear. Water line repair services are the first line of defense in your home's plumbing.
Additionally, St. Louis has moderately hard water, which can cause sediment buildup inside the tank and lines of your unit. This isn't an automatic problem, but it does mean that you should consider servicing your water heater more often and pay attention to local water quality reports.
Should You Proactively Replace a Water Heater?
Perhaps your water heater is functioning properly, but it is over 10 years old. Or maybe it's starting to show issues, but it's only 6 years old. In either case, you might be tempted to stick with your current water heater for a bit longer. But is that always the right choice?
Your other option is to proactively replace your water heater, which has its pros and cons:
Advantages:
- Can install a tankless water heater or other new model
- Energy-efficiency improvements
- Updated warranty
Disadvantages:
- Higher up-front cost
- Can be time-consuming
Ultimately, it's up to you what's best for your situation. If you're undecided and would like an expert's opinion, give us a call, and we'll be happy to talk it through with you.
For Water Heater Replacements, Repairs, and Inspections in St. Louis, Call Signature Plumbing
At Signature Plumbing, we have over a decade of experience serving St. Louis homeowners. We're familiar with all kinds of plumbing problems, from broken water heaters to clogged drains. We're dedicated to providing our customers with prompt, friendly service at every job.
When you call us, you get:
- Professional insight into what's wrong with your water heater,
- Realistic options to move forward, and
- Reassurance that both you and your home are safe during the process.
If you need to replace your water heater, give us a call at (636) 742-2533 to speak to a plumber or tell us about your issue online to set up a service appointment.