The occasional cool shower is nice and refreshing. Just get back from a run in the dead of summer? Great, take a cold shower to cool down! Just come in from a blizzard? Not so great. If your water heater is leaving you out in the cold, it’s either time to repair it or replace it. But, how do you know which one is right for you?
Common Water Heater Repairs
If your water heater is under 10 years old, there’s a chance that you just need a simple repair to get it back in tip-top shape. Some common issues and repairs include:
- No hot water: Thermostats or heating elements might be to blame
- Insufficient hot water: Could be caused by temperature settings, heating elements, busted or disconnected dip tube, or even sediment in your tank
- Poor water quality: Rusty or smelly water is caused by pipe corrosion or a buildup of bacteria
- A valve or plumbing leak: Most leaks, as long as the tank itself is intact, can be repaired.
While the issues above are typically easy to fix, whether or not a repair makes sense depends on the severity of the issue. Sometimes replacing your system just makes more sense than a pricey repair.
When Repairs Just Don’t Make Sense, It’s to Replace It
If you’re trying to decide whether or not to replace your water heater, ask yourself:
- Is my tank 10+ years old? Most water heaters are good for about 10 years, and that’s if they’ve been well maintained and regularly flushed. If your tank is anywhere near this point, it’s probably best to avoid any pricey repairs and replace it instead.
- Am I spending too much on frequent repairs? If more than one part is failing on your water heater, it’s time to think about replacing it before it all fails on you.
- Is my tank leaking? A leaking tank is not worth the repair. It usually costs you the same to repair a leaking tank as it would to just buy a new one.
- Is my water rusty? If you’ve ruled out rust in your plumbing, this is a sign that the inside of your tank is deteriorating and rusting. It’s to replace it.
- Is my current water heater covered under warranty? This can be tricky to answer. You’ll need to look up the manufacturer’s guidelines for your specific tank. Many manufacturers have strict rules on warranties. Some require that you register within 90 days of purchase, while many require any repairs to be made with authorized parts by certified plumbers. If you haven’t followed these guidelines, the parts and repairs won’t be covered by the warranty. In this case, it might be less expensive to just buy a new system.
Repair or Replace, We Can Help with Both
There’s a lot to consider when your water heater stops working. Save yourself the stress and make the right decision for your wallet by calling trusting J Griffin Heating & Plumbing with your water heater needs.
We have over 30 years of experience repairing and replacing water heaters. We’ll take the guesswork out of the process. We’re always straight forward and honest about the best option for your situation. Give us a call at (781) 521-2188 or visit our Facebook page to see more about our services.