Texas Homeowners: Read These Water Heater Repair Tips

We may not suffer the coldest winters in Texas, but no one wants to take an icy shower. If your water heater is on the fritz, reach out to a local professional. They can help weigh the pros and cons of a simple repair versus a full replacement.

So before you throw out the cold bath water, consider your options. Plus, there are an array of efficient new water heaters on the market today.

Here's what you need to know.

Repairing Your Water Heater

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

There are multiple 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 mix incoming cold water 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 tank-less system or hot water tank. Tank-less systems are longer lasting, more energy-efficient, and often cheaper.

What’s not to love? Tank-less systems can have wildly varying temperatures if they do not have the proper flow rate. Hot water tanks, on the other hand, can offer superior performance, depending on if the tank is sufficiently insulated.

You also might want to consider an energy-efficient water heater. And, you’ll have to decide if you want your heater to run off of 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.

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