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When Should I Buy A New Water Heater Or Schedule Water Heater Repair? | Myrtle Beach, SC
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Of all the things you need to take care of inside your home, your water heater is pretty high on the list. You need hot water to take a shower in the morning, do laundry and make sure your dishes are clean. Unfortunately, water heaters don’t last a very long time, so you have to invest in water heater repairs or a new unit every once in a while. If you’re thinking about buying a new water heater for your Myrtle Beach, SC, home, here’s what you need to know.
Water Heater Maintenance
One of the most important things when it comes to repairs and extending the life of your water heater is making sure you’re keeping up with maintenance. If you’re like most homeowners, you might not be having any maintenance done on your water heater at all. While this may be fairly common, it’s a huge problem when it comes to water heater replacement.
The biggest thing to stay on top of in terms of water heater maintenance is having your water heater flushed regularly. The water inside the tank has a little bit of sediment in it, which slowly builds up on the bottom of your water heater over the course of years and even months. Flushing your water heater once every six months removes sediment that can lead to expensive water heater repairs.
You should also have somebody take a look at the overall condition of your water heater, which includes making sure the thermostat is set correctly, checking on the heating elements and inspecting the sacrificial anode rod to see if it needs to be replaced.
Fixing a Water Heater
The good news when it comes to water heater problems is that there are plenty of things you can have fixed. While the most complex water heater problems don’t have solutions beyond simply replacing the unit, there are a few different parts you can replace in your water heater if something isn’t working right. If you notice your water heater acting funny, make sure you call a water heater repair company to take a look at it and get it fixed up ASAP.
If you have no hot water coming from your water heater, there’s a good chance you’re in need of a new heating element. Most often, the lower heating element is the first to go because it’s responsible for providing more heat. However, it could be the upper heating element or even a thermostat that’s causing the problem.
Corrosion is a sign that you’ve got a bad sacrificial anode rod. This rod is designed to take on corrosion that would otherwise damage your water heater tank, which helps extend the life of the entire unit. Every once in a while, however, you need to have a water heater repair expert replace your sacrificial anode rod.
Water Heater Life Expectancy
One of the interesting things about water heaters is that they aren’t designed to last all that long. Of course, the lifespan of your water heater depends on how well you take care of it, your water quality and more. As a general rule, however, you can expect to invest in a new water heater at least once every 10 to 15 years or so, with most people being on the lower end of that.
Keeping up with water heater repairs is one of the best ways to make sure you get the longest life out of your water heater. A simple water heater problem may be easy to fix but could cause more damage if you don’t fix it. Plus, your water heater will have to work harder if one element is out or there’s a leak.
You also need to have a water heater repair company help you flush your water heater once every six months or yearly. The sediment that builds up in your water heater is one of the biggest reasons for water heater replacement. Plus, you can save a lot of money by having somebody do a little bit of maintenance for you.
Choosing a New Water Heater
If your water heater is on its last leg and you’re looking for something new, it’s important to choose the right water heater for your home. Not only can you choose between gas and electrical heaters, but you also have your choice of several different styles, including tankless and point-of-use water heaters.
A tank-style water heater is the most common if you’re looking for a simple, effective unit. These units come in both gas and electric, and work by heating up an entire tank of water which you can then access through fixtures.
If you’re looking for something a little more convenient, a water heater repair specialist might recommend a tankless water heater. These units heat water on demand as you use it in your home, and can provide up to a certain number of gallons of hot water per minute.
The most convenient but most expensive option in terms of heating water is a point-of-use water heater. You can have a water heater repair company install these units throughout your home in bathrooms and kitchens, providing uninterrupted hot water to a single room. If you have a large family and often run out of hot water, this is a good solution.
Here to Help
Hot water is one of the most important things to have in your home, so the last thing you want is a bad water heater. As a homeowner, it’s important to keep an eye out for water heater problems so you know when to get help or replace your water heater.
If you’re looking for water heater repair or replacement services in Myrtle Beach, SC, you can count on Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach. Whether you need your water heater flushed, fixed or replaced altogether, give Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach a call today.