Similar to any other appliance, a time arises when you must consider the value you get by hiring a plumber for water heater repair service in Lighthouse Point, FL, versus replacing it, especially when it gets old. Most homeowners ask this question to their plumbers to avoid the risks brought about by a water heater disaster.
One of the main causes of water heater issues is the rust or corrosion of the tank if you use a conventional water heater. It also determines the service life of your water heater, which is normally 10-15 years for the tank-based water heater and over 20 years for a tankless water heater. The gas-powered water heaters have a shorter service life.
Suppose the water heating unit is running into frequent issues requiring a water heater repair service or approaching the end of its lifespan. In that case, you might have to consider replacing the unit. It might prove a more economical option, while you can also upgrade the unit to a tankless water heater or a larger one.
Water Heater Modes of Failure
There are several ways that your water heater might malfunction. They include the water not heating to the desired temperatures, the unit not heating your water anymore, leaks, problems with temperature and pressure (T&P) relief valves, and a failing heating element. Others include sediment accumulation at the bottom of the water heater tank and corrosion.
Small leaks from T&P relief valves might be common, but leakage from the water heater tank might be a clear sign of an impending disaster. A professional plumber can tell you when a tank bursts or a flood that involves cleanup of the entire surrounding area, including a prompt replacement of the entire unit. Fortunately, there can be other signs that the water heater has an underlying issue, including bubbling sounds and a hissing sound within the unit.
Sediment and Corrosion
Suppose the water tank shows any sign of degradation like an accumulation of sediments at the bottom of the tank or even significant corrosion. In that case, it is a sign that you should seek a water heater repair service. This, combined with the age of the water heater if it is approaching the end of its service life, might be a sign that the unit is on edge.
Noises in the water heater tank often arise when large amounts of sediments have accumulated and settled at the bottom of the tank and the hot water bubbling up through the settled debris. Because the corrosion of the water heater tank makes it weak, an inspection by the plumber can clear the doubts on whether you need to replace the water heater entirely by installing a new model.
The professional may identify this issue during a routine maintenance visit if you have a plan. However, if you don’t have one, it might be time to call a plumbing service and create one. This important preventative maintenance feature can help you avert a potentially dangerous or even costly water heater issue.
Smelly Hot Water
Stinky smells emanate from the water heater, especially in your showers when you use hot water; this might be a telltale sign that you should seek water heater repair services. A plumber will inspect the water heater for the underlying issue, most likely a fully used up anode rod that prevents the growth of anaerobic bacteria in the tank. So instead, the bacteria produce the rotten eggs smell.
The professional will install a new anode rod and flush the water heater tank, leaving you with a properly working water heating unit. However, if the unit is quite old or eaten out by rusting, the professional might recommend a replacement. While you are at it, why not install a tankless water heater at your home? It has a lot of benefits such as longer service life and energy-saving because they heat the water on demand.
Considering Your Family’s Habits
Do you have an active, large family that relies on hot water to clean their dishes, shower, wash up after a meal, do laundry, and even hand wash? Then you must ensure that you have a large water heater and that the unit runs without any interruption. That brief downtime to have a water heater repair or replacement service at your Lighthouse Point, FL home might prove critical in avoiding a larger outage from a failed water heating unit and the unplanned unit replacement, probably with a cleanup.
While at it, you can also consider other water heater systems and designs that may better suit your family, including a tankless water heater that delivers hot water on demand. You could also consider the local tankless water heating units that supply the hot water so long as you want or need it in your bathroom or kitchen. Multiple units of a larger tank might be a better or another impactful solution to ensure that everybody is happy. Since they provide a continuous supply of hot water, your family members won’t have to compete on who will enter the bathroom before it runs out of hot water.
Diagnosis and Repair
Whenever your home has a limited supply of hot water or is completely absent, you could take some time to determine the underlying cause. For example, if the water heater tank has several thermostats and heating elements, the professional water heater repair expert has to inspect it to determine the cause of the failure.
If you are getting lukewarm water, the issue might be misconfigured thermostats or sediments covering the heating element, preventing efficient water heating. If the heating elements run into an issue that impacts their effectiveness, you might get lukewarm water and, at times, cold water. The technician will replace the malfunctioning element and install a new one.
Water Heater Maintenance
Is your water heater nearing the end of its service life? Then you might have to call a water heater repair technician for a replacement. However, water heater maintenance is critical. Besides ensuring that your Lighthouse Point, FL home has a continuous supply of heated water, it also might see your water heater serve you for a couple of more years past the dated service life.
Hence, you must have a plumber offer a preventative maintenance service to your water heater. This includes inspecting the water heater, addressing the underlying issues, and flushing the tank for those using a conventional water heater.
Water Heater Repair Services In Lighthouse Point
Since a water heater is essential to the comfort of your home, you must ensure that it is operating efficiently throughout its service life. Hence, you should enlist the assistance of a plumbing technician to offer regular inspections and preventative maintenance. Are you considering replacing, installing, or repairing your water heater? Call our professional water heater repair experts at MainLine Plumbing today.
Author Bio:
Andrew Dilaurenzio
The primary contact at Mainline Plumbing Service, you can contact Mainline Plumbing Service by phone using this number 954-466-9803. They provide 100% guaranteed customer service. They do it all. Water heaters, sewer camera video inspection, drain cleaning, slab leak repairs, leak detection, sewer line repairs, and much more.