When Water Heaters Fail
In general, if a storage-type water heater is over 10 years old, regardless of what the problem may be, most professional plumbers will likely recommend replacement. Modern storage water heaters typically last around 8 to 10 years depending on the usage, local water quality, and mineral content. So anything over 10 years old will most likely prompt an honest plumber to recommend replacing the water heater, rather than replacing parts and making repairs on water heaters that may not last much longer anyway.
Time Is The Enemy Of Water Heaters
Some water heater brands require replacing before the tank is less than 10 years of age, due to either manufacturer's defects or the tanks being recalled. Consulting a plumber you trust with water heater repairs and new installations to assess your particular needs is always a wise move.
One part of storage water heaters is called the sacrificial anode rod and is designed to attract and collect the corrosive minerals in the water to prevent them from eating away at the tank itself. These minerals will eat away at the anode rod until it's completely dissolved. When the anode rod is gone, the minerals begin corroding the tank itself and this will eventually cause it to leak. These anode rods typically last about 4 to 6 years and replacing the anode rod used to be fairly simple to extend the life of the water heater. Now, however, anode rods are factory-sealed by the manufacturer, making it harder to extend the life of your water heater.
All water heaters eventually wear out, so when your water heater fails or is showing signs that it's nearing its end, call the water heater experts at Romano Plumbing for the best advice, craftsmanship, and affordability from a professional plumber you can trust.
Look For Leaks
If there's water leaking below the water heater but no signs of moisture above the water heater, the tank itself is most likely leaking and will probably need to be replaced. If the water is leaking from above or on top of the water heater, it may be a plumbing leak or one of the peripheral components leaking and that may be repairable. Any leaks should be addressed immediately, even if it's just a little drip because leaks can worsen unexpectedly and quickly.
Hot Water Not Hot
When your unit is producing less or no hot water, as long as the tank is in good condition and not too old, it may be affordable and repairable. This usually means that at least one of the components has failed or is about to fail. It might be the pilot assembly, the gas control, the burner assembly, one of the safety components, or a clogged air intake screen. All of these may be cost-effective repairable situations that can put off the expense of complete replacement.
So, in summation: if the tank itself is leaking, it will probably need to be replaced. If there's a leak originating anywhere other than the tank itself, it may be repairable. If the water heater is not producing hot water and is in good condition and not too old, it may be repairable as well. Consult a plumbing professional you can trust, like Romano Plumbing when your water heater fails and you're unsure whether you should repair or replace your water heater.
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