Water Heater Repair Lone Tree

Determining if it's worthwhile to fix a hot water heater in Lone Tree can depend on several factors: how old the heater is, how serious the problem is, what it will cost to fix versus replace, and maybe even what the future cost of hot water might be! Most people don't have the requisite knowledge to figure this out, so they consult an expert. We talked to a local pro to get the straight dope on when to fix a hot water heater and when to nix it and buy a new one—what he told us might surprise you!

In Lone Tree, replacing a water heater is best left to a licensed and experienced plumber who specializes in installing and repairing water heaters. Such individuals have the know-how to take out an old unit and put in a new one—if necessary, a direct replacement—that works in compliance with not just local but also national codes and regulations. Some plumbing companies here also offer emergency service and warranties on what they do, which is comforting. And when choosing a plumbing company, it's a good idea to look at reviews and also ask around for recommendations.

Replacing a 50-gallon water heater in Lone Tree comes with a few variables that can significantly affect the cost. First, you have the type—tank versus tankless. Then, you have the brand, which can range from low to high price points. After that, there's energy efficiency; most people are pretty set on not getting anything that would cost too much to run. Finally, of course, there are installation costs, which can be pretty widely spread from $300 at the low end to $1,000 at the high end. So, when all those things that can affect cost are averaged out, the full replacement comes to about $800 to $2,500.

A residential water heater normally has a lifespan of 8 to 12 years. Nonetheless, this can change due to several variables. For one, certainly, the quality of the water heater itself matters. But just as important are maintenance, the local water quality, and what I call "user distribution." Regular maintenance can help a water heater get to the top of its expected range. Aside from the heater, the next biggest factor is maintaining a clean water supply. In places with hard water, heaters can be done in much sooner. "User distribution" is a fancy way of saying that sometimes it's just your bad luck if you have a water heater that decides to go out long before it should.

A water heater most frequently fails in three areas: the heating elements, the thermostat, and sediment buildup in the tank. The heating elements either work or they don't, and if they don't, you can tell right away because the water heater will stop producing hot water. If the thermostat is on the fritz, the water will either be way too hot or not hot enough. Many water heater malfunctions can be traced back to sediment buildup, which can not only reduce the efficiency of the unit and lead to overheating but can also, in some cases, cause the unit to fail entirely. Other potential problems include issues with the pressure relief valve, the anode rod, and rust or corrosion.

A water heater that is 20 years old is not generally considered worth the trouble of repair. These devices typically last about 10 to 15 years, so one that's 20 this year is well past any reasonable expectation of service. Repairs may fix things up temporarily, but they often lead to the same old problems, and worse, they're not saving anything like the kind of money that a new, modern, and more energy-efficient water heater would save, both upfront and over the course of the warranties that the heaters usually come with.

When a water heater begins to fail, the initial indicators are usually weird sounds like popping or rumbling, water temperature that is all over the place, or no hot water at all. You might also see some leaks at the base of the heater, water that looks rusty, or a drop in water pressure. If your water heater is over 10-15 years old, though, it might just be trying to keep its last few moments of life under the radar.

Most water heaters tend to break down in a few specific areas. These include the elements that heat the water, the thermostats that govern how hot the water gets, and the valves that relieve pressure and temperature when things get too hot. And of course, there's the tank itself, which, over time, can get corroded or filled with sediment. These parts are the most likely to fail, which is why we need to pay extra attention to them when we're doing maintenance checks.

A hot water heater can trip the reset button for several reasons, such as overheating, a bad thermostat, or a defective heating element. Overheating generally occurs when the water temperature exceeds the set limit and can often be traced to a thermostat that is unable to regulate temperature effectively because it is defective or damaged. Bad heating elements can also overheat water and trip the reset. Loose or faulty wiring isn't likely to cause overheating but can cause similar symptoms if the reset mechanism itself is faulty. And sediment build-up over time can trigger the reset when the water fails to meet sufficient temperature levels. Making sure these symptoms don't lead to the guaranteed death of a water heater is important for efficient and safe household plumbing.

To find out if your water heater's anode rod is kaput, there's a number of telltale signs to look for. The very first thing to do is examine the water itself. Check for any distinct odors coming from it. A foul smell, especially one that resembles a rotten egg or sulfur, could mean the anode rod is dead or dying. Next, what does the water look like? Is it coming out discolored or rusty? If so, it might also mean the anode rod is no longer protecting the tank from corrosion.Now, even if you don't see any signs of failure just mentioned, it still might not be a bad idea to pull the anode rod anyway and examine it. If you find it's less than half an inch thick (and it should be 3/4 of an inch if it's intact) or if it's just caked with mineral deposits, pulling it could save you a ton of future grief and headaches.