DC Homeowners, Should You Repair Or Replace Your Water Heater?

Luckily, it hasn't been a terrible winter season here in Washington, DC. Still, nothing will ruin a Monday morning like a cold shower. If your water heater is on the fritz, you have a few options before you spring for a replacement.

You might not need to throw out the baby with the (cold) bath water. First, contact a professional to weigh the pros and cons of repairing your water heater versus installing a new model. Read on to learn more about these options.

Repairing Your Water Heater

Water heaters last an average of about 10 years, but there are cases of heaters lasting far longer and, unfortunately, far less. But before you order a replacement, weigh the costs of repairing what’s broken.

There are an array of factors that can cause a water heater to fall into disrepair. Sediment deposits can gather at the bottom of the tank and cause popping sounds when the burners ignite. Or you may need to replace a broken thermostat or broken dip tube, which can cause incoming cold water to mix with outgoing hot water. You might experience water that is too hot, too cold or worse.

Uncontrolled thermal expansion, for example, can cause dangerous pressure levels and burst pipes. For this reason, repair jobs are best left to the professionals. Talk to a contractor about how much a repair will cost versus a full replacement. And if you opt for a repair, ask how much life they expect to get out of your hot water heater so you can weigh the pros and cons.

Need to repair your water heater? Contact a pro today.

Replacing Water Heaters

If you’ve decided a full replacement is the best or only option, you have a few considerations to make. First is whether you want a tankless system or hot water tank. Tankless systems are longer lasting, more energy-efficient, and often cheaper.

On the other hand, tankless systems can have wildly varying temperatures if they do not have the proper flow rate. Hot water tanks can offer superior performance, depending on whether the tank is sufficiently insulated.

You also might want to consider an energy-efficient water heater. You'll also have to decide if you want your heater to run on gas, oil, electric or solar power. Installing a new hot water heater is a great time to reevaluate these options to find the best solution for your home and lifestyle. A local professional can help determine what is best for your particular needs.

HomeAdvisor is a Patch promotional partner.