You head right to the shower as soon as you climb out of bed. Just a few minutes in, you realize the water isn’t as hot as usual. It is not long before you realize what has happened: while you spent the night in peaceful slumber, your water heater wet the bed. The rest of your shower is going to be cold.
In addition to the discomfort of not having hot water, you now need to make the decision to repair or replace. The guy down at the home improvement store is going to push for replacement. He would rather sell you a brand-new water heater than less expensive replacement parts.
If you call in a plumber, will he automatically recommend replacement? That’s hard to say. The experts at Utah’s Superior Water & Air explain that choosing between repair and replacement hinges on a long list of things. You need to consider the type of repair, the age of the water heater, your budget, and more.
5 Repairs That Are Financially Worthwhile
Complete replacement could run you thousands of dollars when you combine both the unit and labor. That is quite an expenditure. Unless your water heater is very old or in extremely poor condition, there are some repairs that are financially worthwhile. Here are five of them:
1. Heating Element Replacement
Replacing a bad heating element generally doesn’t cost more than a couple hundred dollars. It turns out this is one of the most common repairs plumbers deal with. It can add years to the life of a water heater.
2. Thermostat Replacement
Another common repair is thermostat replacement. New thermostats typically run $150-$200. Even with labor added, you’re spending a lot less than you would for total replacement. As an added bonus, thermostat replacement is pretty simple. You’re not looking at a major construction project that takes an entire day.
3. Pressure Valve Replacement
Water heaters come equipped with a valve that relieves pressure when it builds up inside the tank. A failed pressure valve could cause a leak that makes you think disaster is imminent. Fortunately, a valve can generally be replaced for a couple hundred dollars.
4. Anode Rod Replacement
Water heaters also come equipped with anode rods to prevent tank corrosion. The rods are relatively cheap and easy to replace. Some plumbers recommend regular replacement as part of routine maintenance.
5. Dip Tube Replacement
A broken dip tube could lead to water being lukewarm rather than hot. Fortunately, replacing a broken tube doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Most plumbers will do it for about $150.
When to Think About Replacement
A malfunctioning water heater may be repairable, but are repairs worth the cost? Superior W&A says you really need to consider the age of the unit. If you’re looking at a heater that’s a decade old, replacement is probably the better option. Once a heater that old starts breaking down, it is only a matter of time before it fails. Why keep putting money into such an old unit?
Replacement is also a better choice when you are looking at an internal leak. Such leaks are indicative of internal corrosion that simply cannot be repaired. You could be looking at catastrophic failure if you choose not to replace.
If you can get repairs done for $500 or less on a water heater that is less than 9 years old, repairing it is probably a good deal. But a higher bill points to replacement, especially if a water heater is approaching 10 years. But you need to decide for yourself.
