Preventative Water Heater Replacement
Deciding whether a preventative water heater replacement is the right choice for you.
It is our experience that most people rarely think about their water heater until they have no hot water. We have had homeowners call with no hot water that do not even know where their water heater is located. With most homeowners staying in their home 6-9 years prior to selling it’s possible that you could have lived in a few different homes and not had to replace a water heater. It’s easy to see why water heaters are not top of mind for most people. However, a water heater is the hardest working appliance in the home, it is always on, is used more than any other appliance and in most cases does not get checked, maintained or serviced on a regular basis.
The average life span of a water heater is 8-12 years depending on the model, most water heaters last roughly 10 years. At Water Heaters Only Inc. our business is responding quickly to customers with water heaters that have failed. We generally arrive onsite with a full stocked vehicle and replace a water heater within a few hours of the initial call for service. However, at Water Heaters Only, Inc. we believe there are a few situations where a preventative water heater replacement is a smart choice. Otherwise, waiting for the water heater to fail prior to replacement is generally seen as totally acceptable and the norm for most people.
3 reasons to think about preventative water heater replacement
- If your water heater is in a location that will cause damage and it is over eight years old, start to think about replacement.
- If your water heater is over 12 years old and has visual damage, or black soot anywhere on the tank, start to think about preventative water heater replacement.
- If your water heater is over 8 years old and you travel often or are away from home for extended periods and do not turn off your water main, start to think about replacement.
A water heater in a location where damage might occur is; a second floor closet, an attic, an inside closet above wood framing or a water heater in the garage that is built into a finished alcove. Each of these locations would have different types of damage occur if the water heater burst (developed a large leak from the bottom of the tank all at one) or developed a small pinhole leak that went unnoticeable for some time. Look at the location of your water heater and determine if the damage could occur. Every home is different and each leaking water heater is different, make the choice for yourself.
Water Heater Leaking Damage Photos
Remember starting to think about preventative water heater replacement does not mean you are replacing your water heater at that moment, it just means you are preparing. You can check the model number and serial number (see photo below) on your tank and see what size water heater you have and how old it is. You may also be able to find out what type of warranty the water heater had when it was installed. If you need help deciphering this information feel free to call 310-393-2927 and speak with one of our water heater experts, we are happy to help. If the water heater in your home had a six year warranty or less and it is over eight years old, start your research and budgeting now.
Water Heater Rating Plate Photo
Water heaters are costly to replace, but water damage can be many times more costly to deal with. The more upfront information you have and the more prepared you are, the better the entire buying experience will be. Call around to multiple service companies and find the providers that best fit with the type of experience you are looking for.
For example, a company who is highly rated on Google, Yelp or Angie’s list that provides the complete package, including the water heater, the parts and provides a warranty might be the right fit for you. Maybe you want to find the cheapest tank and pick it up and have a friend help you install it. Do some research and find what is the best fit for you.
If you are not going to install the unit yourself, find two or three possible candidates and get estimates. Once you know the exact cost that you will have to pay you can start to make the decision about when to have the work done. It’s also a good idea to think about what is the best scheduling situation for you. A complete water heater installation can take anywhere from 2 to 6 hours. Most service providers can not tell you the exact time when they will arrive, so you will probably have a window of time you need to be available. No one likes to have to take unscheduled time off work or lose a precious weekend day to deal with a water heater.
For any questions regarding service, products, warranty information or generally help with a water heater, contact us 24 hours a day 7 days a week at 310-393-2927 / 1-800-833-4570 and a water heater expert from Water Heaters Only, Inc will be happy to help. We have been installing water heaters for nearly 50 years. Please read our customer reviews and learn why Water Heaters Only, Inc is 5 star rated and has over 500,000 happy customers since 1968.
