Water Heaters Framingham: Is it time?

Is it time for a new water heater?

That’s a question that never occurs to many homeowners until icy torrents replace the steamy stream of the morning shower or it takes twenty minutes for the faucet to produce water warm enough to wash your hands.  Sometimes the question is prompted by puddles forming near the water heater or circuit breakers that trip on a daily basis. Faulty water heaters can be dangerous – and no  prudent homeowner wants to hear they have a hazard right in their own home! This leaves the homeowner with a choice: is it time to repair or replace their water heater?

What’s The Expected Life of a Water Heater?

Industry professionals and Central Mass plumbers agree: the typical water heater lasts between ten and fifteen years. There are circumstances that affect that lifespan, of course: a family of eight takes more showers, does more laundry, washes more dishes, and generally uses more water than a family of three. As you would expect, the more a hot water heater is used, the shorter its lifespan will be. Water quality can play a huge role in the expected lifespan of a water heater, as can the conditions in which the water heater is kept.

Is Replacement the Only Option for Water Heater Trouble?

Replacement may not be the only option for water heater troubles, but often it is the best option.  If you have a ruptured hot water tank, leaking pipes within the tank, or age related failure of your water heater, you’re looking at a replacement.  It would cost you far more money to fix the problem than it would be to have a new water heater installed! Replacement is the only cost effective option.  However, if you’re dealing with a burned out heating element, thermostatic control issue, or comparable issue, repair may be an option. Talk with your Worcester area plumber about what your options are.

Can I Fix My Water Heater Myself?

Home water heater repair is generally not a do it yourself job.  If you’re confident in your ability to accurately diagnose the problem, and have the requisite plumbing, electric, and perhaps gas skills needed to repair your water heater, you still may not want to deal with the heavy, awkward hot water tank.  Increasingly, homeowners are switching to tankless hot water systems, which require specialized repair skills. If you are installing a new water heater, check your warranty carefully.  Many manufacturers are now requiring that installation be performed by a licensed contractor or plumbing professional.

What Will It Cost to Replace or Repair My Water Heater?

Having your water heater replaced is not an option – it’s the rare family indeed that wants to live without hot water! If you have to have your water heater replaced on an emergency basis, it will cost more than if you’re proactive and have your water heater replaced ahead of time.  Your water heater is a pivotal element in your home’s plumbing system; you want to have it installed by someone who can do a good job! This means selecting your plumber not on price, but on experience, reputation, and ability to do the job right.

Is There an Ideal Time to Replace a Water Heater?

So far, no one has developed a way to accurately predict with any degree of accuracy exactly when a water heater will stop working.  It is possible to make an educated guess, based upon observation of warning signs such as uneven delivery of hot water, slow water heating, puddles, or blown circuits.  Additionally, knowing that most water heaters last between ten to fifteen years, one could predict the best time to replace a heater based on the date the water heater was installed. So if your water heater is twelve years old, you might want to start getting ready to make a change.

Water Heater Repair and Replacement

Finding someone to repair or replace your water heater in the Worcester area means doing your research. You’re looking for a highly qualified, licensed plumber with a great reputation, top skills and reasonable prices.  Talk to your colleagues and neighbors – chances are they’ve had to have a water heater replaced at some point and may be able to refer you to someone qualified.  Go online and investigate your options. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!