When Water Heater Repair Is Needed And When Replacement Makes More Sense
One of the most convenient comforts of modern-day life is the supply of hot water in our homes. To think our ancestors had to heat buckets of water can be quite hard to believe. But we don’t need hot water for our comfort as much as we need it for sanitation and everyday activities such as doing the laundry or dishes. As a South Florida native, you may want to wash off the salt water from a day skiing on the canals, or perhaps you need to run a high-temperature cycle for your dishes in your beachfront condo.
Whatever the reason, a water heater is one comfort feature in your home that is going to work hard. Like all appliances, as time passes, you may find yourself in need of water heater repair, and possibly even a new water heater installation, depending on the issue. We’re going to have a look at when you may consider one over the other and what factors will help you decide.
Average Water Heater Lifespan in South Florida
Since most of the United States uses standard tank-based water heaters, we see that they typically last anywhere from 10 to 12 years. However, in South Florida, the water supply is rich in Calcium and Magnesium deposits, and is known to be a nuisance for anything related to plumbing systems. This mineral-rich water is known as “hard” water, with “soft” water being low in dissolved minerals. Hard water leaves stubborn sediment deposits that eventually lead to issues that require attention. As a result, South Florida homeowners can expect their water heaters to have slightly shorter lifespans before requiring maintenance.
Some homes have their water heaters installed in the garage or even in a utility closet or shed. Since these types of rooms are often exposed to the elements more, harsh temperatures, humidity, and even salty air can rapidly deteriorate the condition of the water heater. The water heater in South Florida faces both internal strain from the water supply and external strain from the elements. Due to these factors, you could expect a quality water heater to give you commendable service for about 8 to 10 years.
Factors That Signal Water Heater Repair
Quite often, when a water heater develops a problem, it can be rather small and specific and isolated to a particular part, as opposed to a breakdown of the entire system. This is especially true for water heaters that were installed less than 7 years ago. If your water heater installation was completed relatively recently, then we suggest the following scenarios may indicate that a water heater repair job is going to be the most cost-effective course of action.
Faulty Heating Element
It’s common in many water heaters for there to be two elements that are responsible for bringing the water to temperature. If either one of these elements develops a fault or even blows completely, you may notice that your power keeps going out, or that the water never gets beyond lukewarm. In this case, an easy fix is to replace the faulty element. This usually just involves draining the water heater, turning the power off at the breaker board, and replacing the blown element with a new one.
Broken Thermostat
As you may know, thermostats are responsible for creating the working temperature limits for the element. When the water temperature gets to the set temperature, the thermostat switches the element off. When it gets low, the thermostat turns the element on to begin heating the water again. If you notice the water coming from the hot water faucet is hot enough for a cup of coffee or cold like it just came from the pool, chances are that your thermostat is faulty. A thermostat replacement is a really inexpensive repair that a reputable licensed plumber can do in their sleep.
A Leak From The Pressure Relief Valve
If you look closely at your water heater, usually somewhere on the side, there is a small pipe that resembles an overflow or drainage pipe. This is the drain pipe for the temperature and pressure relief valve. This safety feature ensures that the internal pressure can be relieved if one of the above issues occurs. Since this valve is designed to give in, sometimes the hard water can weaken the valve from sediment deposits and cause it to fail prematurely. You’ll notice this potential issue if you see a continual drip from the drainage pipe or if you notice puddles of water underneath your water heater. It’s critical to repair this vital safety feature before the worst happens.
Failed Internal Components
The way that a water heater works is that cold water flows in from the bottom of the tank (not for tankless water heaters). As the element heats the water, it rises by convection to the top of the tank, which is where the hot water outlet is. If someone opens a hot water faucet, then the hot water leaving the tank creates a pressure differential, which then causes cold water to flow into the bottom of the tank via the dip tube. Sometimes these dip tubes need to be replaced.
Another feature of modern water heaters is the inclusion of a rust-preventing anode. These can malfunction over time, leading to the buildup of rust and corrosion internally, which, if not replaced timeously, could result in the inevitable.
New Water Heater Installation
Unfortunately, not all problems are caught in time, and often, there can be no symptoms showing before a complete system failure occurs. Other times, it’s just that your water heater is getting a bit “long in the tooth” and requires replacement. These are the most common signs that it’s time for a new one.
The Water Tank is Leaking
If you notice that water is pooling underneath your water heater but the pressure relief valve is dry, then you may have a leaking water tank, and that is not a repairable problem, as the tank is a sealed, pressurized unit. Don’t delay getting a new water heater installed, as if it gets any worse, you could end up flooding your house, and depending on where your water heater is installed, it could end up causing extensive water damage.
Discolored Water
Sometimes you may notice that the water coming out of the hot water faucet resembles some upper Florida Everglades water, or perhaps a weak tea. This discoloration is caused by rust or corrosion within the tank itself. Once this corrosion has begun, it is only a matter of time until the tank develops a leak or bursts completely. Some homeowners can even smell a faint metallic scent when running a bath. Don’t ignore these signs and contact your local plumber immediately before the problem becomes far worse.
Multiple Costly Repairs
If you find that you are frequently having small issues fixed on your water heater or that each repair is costing more and more, it may mean that you are dealing with a fundamentally buggy appliance, or perhaps one that has reached the end of its useful life. Adding up the cost of multiple repairs, you may find it saves you money to just cut your losses and have a properly working new water heater installed.
Hearing Boiling Water
Due to the sediment buildup that happens in Florida, it can trap gases under the sediment that pop when the element is heated. The sediment can also act as a pretty effective insulator, which causes the water heater to overheat. This overheating can cause small fissures to form in the tank, at which point, you will need to replace the entire water heater anyway.
Energy Efficiency
As energy costs continue to rise, you may want to consider a newer style water heater that has improved energy efficiency. Some hybrid water heaters that make use of the warm and humid South Florida climate can dramatically decrease your energy bills. These heat pump water heaters (HPWH) can pull heat from warm areas, such as the garage or attic, and use it to heat the water, greatly increasing their efficiency since Florida is warm all year round.
If you have a large family or limited space, you could also consider a tankless water heater for your new water heater installation. These systems provide hot water on demand and do not have a tank. They can be a bit more costly up front, but they do offer almost double the lifespan and also do not come with the overhead related to a tank system.
Water Heater Repair and Installation with Magical Plumbing
As a fully family-owned and operated plumbing business in South Florida, we started our journey in New Jersey, where we’re still licensed, over 20 years ago. We have been operating in Florida for over 10 years now. Our honest service with the highest customer satisfaction guaranteed is sure to put your mind at ease. Whether your water heater requires repair or you’re looking for a completely new installation, we’re here to serve.
Call us at 888-810-PIPE to speak to one of our experienced team members.
