Your water heater has passed its expected lifespan, should you have it replaced? Or, should you just wait until you don’t have any more hot water?
This is a question that we hear a lot and it reminds us of the old saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Or, to be more specific, don’t replace it.
There’s no reason to waste good money on a new water heater if your old one is working just fine. The average lifespan of a water heater is 10 to 15 years, but some can last even longer.
There is one exception: If you want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model, you may want to replace the older unit sooner than later. If you’re considering replacing a working water heater, we suggest that you consider the following:
- Have you been diligent about maintaining the water heater? When units are regularly maintained and flushed annually, they last longer than neglected water heaters.
- Where is the unit located? If the unit is located on an upper level and there isn’t a drain nearby, it could leak and cause expensive repairs. However, if it’s located in the basement and near a drain, a leak isn’t as much of a concern.
- How is the water quality in your neighborhood? If you have hard or poor water quality, you may have sediment buildup, which can shorten the water heater’s lifespan.
If after considering the above factors, you decide to keep your aging, but still operable water heater, you may want to have one of our plumbers perform a full inspection and routine maintenance.
An inspection would include ensuring that all of the connections are working, and ensuring that there are no signs of corrosion or leakage in the gas valve, pan and burner chamber. We can also flush cold water through the unit to remove any sediment or debris sitting at the bottom of the tank, this way it can work more efficiently.
If you learn that your water heater is in need of costly repairs, it may be a better investment to purchase a new unit. Often, if an aging unit has reached its expected lifespan, it’s not worth fixing unless it can last at least another five years.
Contact a Kansas City Plumber Today!
Want to have your water heater inspected by a plumbing professional? Contact A-I Sewer & Septic Service Inc. to schedule a service appointment. Whether you need your water heater repaired or replaced, we can help you find the most cost-effective alternative at a reasonable price!
