Water Heater Problems: Should You Repair it or Replace it?

People use water in their homes each and every day — in fact, a family of four in the U.S. can use around 400 gallons of water in just one day. But when it comes to showering or doing the dishes, it’s important to have working hot water. Unfortunately, water heaters don’t last forever. If you’ve noticed problems with your water heater, you may be wondering what the next step is. In this article, we’re going to discuss how to decide between water heater repairs and replacement.

Water heater age: One of the first factors to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your water heater is the age of the unit. Water heaters can usually last between 10 and 20 years, depending on the model and maintenance. If your unit is near the end of its lifespan, water heater replacement may be the way to go — otherwise, you’re going to be spending a lot of money trying to repair a unit that is ultimately going to fail.

Extra costs: There are a few different costs you need to consider before hiring plumbing services. First, consider how often you have to pay for water heater repairs. If you’re continuously paying for repairs, replacement may help save money. However, you do need to think about the extra costs that come with replacing your unit. You may have to update supply pipes, the venting system, or even the heater’s drain pan before having your new water heater installed. So keep these extra costs in mind to ensure you’re really going to be saving money.

Increased expenses: Water heating bills are also something that should be considered. If your unit is old and failing, it’s going to use more energy to work harder to heat the water. This results in increased water heating expenses. Unfortunately, if your unit is old and continues to have problems, this bill is going to continue to increase — in this case, it’s probably more cost-efficient to get a new unit that will be more energy-efficient.

If your water heater is not doing its job, then you need to take action. But in the end, it’s best to trust the professionals to recommend whether you should repair or replace your unit.