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Why DIYing Water Heater Replacement Is Never a Good Idea | Myrtle Beach, SC
If you’re a homeowner in Myrtle Beach, SC, and your water heater is on the fritz, you may be tempted to try to replace it yourself. After all, water heaters aren’t exactly the most complicated appliances in the world, right?
Well, think again. Replacing a water heater is actually a pretty complicated process and one that should always be handled by a professional plumber. You might have built a considerable DIY skillset over the years, but water heater replacement is a job best left to the pros.
Here are a couple of reasons why DIYing your water heater replacement isn’t recommended:
It’s a Dangerous Job
First and foremost, water heater replacement is an inherently dangerous job. You’ll be dealing with water and electricity simultaneously, which can lead to electrocution or other serious injuries if you’re not careful.
Professional plumbers are trained to handle these kinds of dangers safely. Trying to take on this task yourself without the proper training or equipment is a recipe for disaster. Every year, 400 electrocutions occur in the US. You certainly don’t want to become a statistic.
It’s Expensive
Even if you manage to get through the heater replacement process unscathed, it will likely cost you a lot more money in the long run. While there may be some minor DIY water heater supplies that you can pick up fairly inexpensively online, you’ll still need to hire a professional plumber to do the actual installation.
So even if you save money upfront on water heater parts and tools, the cost of labor will more than make up for it. And given how complicated water heater replacement can be, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be able to get the job done properly, which will lead to further repairs down the line.
You’ll Likely Install the Wrong Size
There are two sizes you need to be concerned about when installing a water heater. One is the tank capacity, and the second is the water heater size. The tank capacity is the size of the water tank that your water heater will need to store water, and the water heater size is how big the water heater needs to be to heat up this amount of water.
Without proper heater replacement knowledge, it’s easy for you to install the wrong size. Remember, getting one size wrong means getting both of them wrong. This translates to a lot of money down the drain.
A better alternative is to hire a professional plumbing company in Myrtle Beach, SC to size your water heater correctly. They’ll have the expertise and experience needed to ensure that your water heater is the right size for your home, which will help you save a lot of time and money.
You Might Offset a Carbon Monoxide Leakage
Gas-powered water heaters use combustion to heat water creating carbon monoxide (CO) as a by-product. If the water heater isn’t properly vented, or if it’s installed incorrectly, your water heater could be leaking dangerous amounts of CO into your home.
Regular water heaters are only required to release 0.04 parts per million (PPM) of CO into the air during off-cycle periods. But water heaters that aren’t installed correctly can release much higher levels, putting your home and family at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Hiring a professional plumber to handle water heater replacement is the best way to ensure that this doesn’t happen. They’ll know exactly how to install your water heater properly so that it releases safe amounts of CO into your home.
Water Heaters Are an Explosion Risk
If you thought getting electrocuted was bad, that’s nothing compared to blowing up your entire house. Water heaters systems with gas connections are an explosion risk since they’re powered by highly flammable gasses. One tiny mistake could result in an explosion that could raze your entire house to the ground.
Professional plumbers are trained to handle water heaters with the utmost care and precaution, so you can be sure that the entire replacement process will go off without any major issues. Trying to DIY your water heater installation on your own is just asking for trouble.
You’ll Be Missing Out on Professional Skills, Knowledge, and Tools
It’s vital to remember that water heater installation and replacement is a job that requires specialized skills, knowledge, and tools. If you’re not trained or equipped to handle water heaters safely and efficiently, then there’s simply no point in DIYing this job yourself.
By hiring professional plumbers, you’re taking advantage of years of training and expertise in water heater installations. You’re also getting access to the specialized water heater tools and knowledge needed to do a great job. So for peace of mind knowing that the heater replacement process will go smoothly and without any issues, it’s best to leave the job up to the experts.
You’ll Likely Install the Wrong Fittings
When installing water heaters, you need to make sure that your water supply lines and drain fittings are correctly sized. If you choose the wrong ones, it can cause water leaks or, worse, water heater malfunction. As such, it’s always best to trust professional plumbers for water heater replacement. They’ll have the knowledge and expertise to pick out the right water supply lines and fittings,
Get Professional Water Heater Replacement Services
Water heater replacement is simply not something that DIY-ers should undertake. It requires specialized knowledge, tools, and skills that most people simply don’t have.
Instead, you’re better off leaving heater replacements to professional plumbers in Myrtle Beach, SC. With their years of experience and expertise, you can be sure that the entire process will go off without a hitch. Contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Myrtle Beach for your water heater replacement. Quality service is our priority.