Why You Should Replace Your Water Heater Before It Fails

You’ve probably heard the adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” When it comes to water heater maintenance, many homeowners tend to adopt a similar line of thought—“If it’s only broken, just fix it, don’t replace it.”Unfortunately, this misconception can often end up costing them more money and more hassle in the long run. Here’s why: It’s cheaper to hire a plumber in Austin who can replace your water heater when you’re not in a rush (and on your terms) than to wait until you absolutely need it replaced.In fact, the idea that you should wait for a plumbing emergency to determine when to replace your water heater is a huge mistake - one that can cost you time, money, and a great amount of stress.In this short post, find out what signs to look for to tell when you should consider replacing your water heater, and consider the benefits of scheduling a water heater replacement before it fails, not after.

When to Replace Your Water Heater in Austin

While some water heaters can last much longer, the national average life of a conventional water heater is about 10 years. If your water heater is nearing the 10 year mark, it is a good indication that you should start to look for signs of wear and tear. What if you do not know how old your water heater is? Simple: Look at your water heater’s serial number or model number on the tank itself. You can typically find the year it was built in the first or last two digits. If it’s ten years past or longer, it’s likely time to start looking for the following signs to replace it. Have a tankless water heater? A tankless water heater can last up to 20 years before it needs to be replaced.

How To Tell You Need To Replace Your Water Heater

There are many warning signs to look for to tell when you need a new water heater.The first and most obvious being that you're not experiencing hot water. It could be that the water isn’t as hot as it used to be, doesn’t stay hot as long as usual, or simply that there’s no hot water at all. Short of a plumbing emergency, this is a big reason to replace your water heater, as not only can it lead to the issue worsening over time, but can cause your energy bill to skyrocket to keep up with the overwhelming needs to keep your water hot.Other signs to look for include there routinely being water on the floor adjacent to it, or if you see any water near the top of the tank, where the cold water line comes in and the hot water line comes out. Finally, if you can hear a “snap, crackle, and pop” sound or any other strange noises, when your water heater turns on, this could indicate that there’s a high amount of sediment buildup in the tank, a common sign it needs to be replaced.

Why You Should Replace Your Water Heater Sooner Than Later

Water heaters don’t last forever, and will eventually fail at some point. Fortunately, by determining its age and looking for the aforementioned signs, you can replace yours before it’s too late. Waiting until after can leave you with a completely broken water heater that calls for emergency plumbing services, or worse, a flooded area of the home that can cost thousands of dollars to clean up or repair. Moreover, water heaters can be temperamental machines, and old units may need to be repaired more often than you’d like. If your Austin water heater is old and needs to be repaired frequently, it may be better to replace it altogether. A new  can help you save on the costs of not having to regularly repair your unit, and significantly lower your energy bill as well.

Choose Stan’s For Your Water Heater Installations in Austin

Think you might need to replace your water heater in Austin? It’s always best practice to hire a professional plumber who can diagnose what’s wrong with your unit and give you professional opinion about whether it should be repaired or replaced. Working with a professional will ensure that the job is done correctly, safely, and efficiently, while ensure that you don't overpay for unnecessary parts or labor.

If you choose work with Stan’s, we’ll send over a licensed plumber who can fully inspect your system and give you a free estimate on a completely new, energy-efficient replacement model, should you need to replace it. Contact Stan’s to schedule your water heater replacement in Austin today!