Your plumbing system is made up of a lot of different important parts, but your water heater is one of the most crucial. You might not think about it very often, but you rely on your water heater for several things on a daily basis. If the water heater in your home isn’t working right, you’ll end up with cold water for a shower or dishwasher load. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re a candidate for water heater replacement, here’s what you need to know.
Heating Elements
Of all the parts that are likely to go bad in your water heater, the heating elements are the most likely culprit. The good news about heating element problems is that you don’t have to opt for water heater replacement if you’ve got a bad heating element. Your water heater has two heating elements, and it’s not uncommon to have to replace one of them before you replace your water heater.
Most of the time, the heating element that goes bad will be the one on the bottom of your water heater. This heating element does more of the work when it comes to heating water, so it’s more likely to fail. Fortunately, you can get a replacement heating element for a reasonable price, plus they’re fairly easy to replace once you drain your water heater.
If you replace your heating elements and your water heater still isn’t working, it’s probably time for a water heater replacement. Aside from the fact that certain water heater problems simply can’t be fixed, there are also a lot of cases where repairing your water heater is more expensive than having it replaced.
Thermostat
Your water heater has a thermostat that’s designed to ensure your water is heated to the right temperature. If that thermostat is broken, you’re going to end up with lukewarm water or water that’s too hot. Fortunately, a bad thermostat doesn’t always mean it’s time for a water heater replacement.
Oftentimes, you can get your hot water temperature back to where it should be by replacing the thermostat in your water heater. If you replace the thermostat and you’re still having trouble heating your water to the right temperature, you should make sure there are no leaks and the heating elements are both working. If you don’t notice leaks or problems with the elements, it might be time for water heater replacement.
Sacrificial Anode
Water heater tanks tend to corrode a bit due to the minerals that are present in water, which is why they’re equipped with a sacrificial anode. This sacrificial anode is designed to take on the majority of the corrosion so your water heater can last longer, but that means it may need to be replaced every once in a while.
If you live in an area where the water is full of minerals, you’re going to have to replace your sacrificial anode rod a little more often. If you don’t, you’ll end up with tank corrosion that leads to premature replacement of your water heater, which is far more expensive than replacing a sacrificial anode.
In addition to replacing your sacrificial anode every once in a while, you should also have your water heater flushed at least once per year to remove sediment from the tank. This sediment can reduce the efficiency of your water heater and lead to corrosion, so it’s a good idea to have your water heater flushed on a regular basis.
Age
At the end of the day, there’s nothing you can do to make your water heater last forever. Even if you keep up with all the necessary repairs and maintenance, you’re going to have to spend money on a water heater replacement at some point. The truth is, most water heater manufacturers estimate that a water heater will last about 10 to 12 years, which is much less than a lot of North Las Vegas, NV, homeowners might think.
You also have to consider the fact that your water heater will only last 12 years if you take good care of it. If you never have your water heater flushed or you’re running hard water through it, it’s not going to last that long. The best thing you can do if you want to get the most life out of your water heater is make sure you’re having a plumber take a look at it on a regular basis.
Water Heater Maintenance
The best way to avoid paying for frequent water heater replacements is to make sure you’re staying on top of water heater maintenance. The good news is, there are a few things you can do to keep your water heater in good shape.
If you have hard water in your home, you need to install a water softener to reduce the mineral content and protect your water heater. A whole-home water softener is a decent investment, but it will ultimately save you money when it comes to protecting the fixtures and appliances in your home.
You should also have your water heater flushed on a regular basis to keep it clean and prevent corrosion. Ideally, you want to have your water heater flushed of sediment once a year, although you may want to have it done more often if you’ve got particularly hard water.
Call Craig’s Plumbing Today
Most homeowners don’t take the best care of their water heaters, but that doesn’t mean it’s a pain. If you want to stay on top of water heater maintenance and avoid paying for water heater replacements, you need to have an expert help you keep your water heater clean and functioning.
If you think you might be in need of a water heater replacement for your North Las Vegas, NV, home, Craig’s Plumbing can help. To find out more about replacing your water heater, give us a call at 702-496-3892 today.
