Should You Consider a Water Heater Replacement for Your Chester, VA Home?
Photo By KatarzynaBialasiewicz at istock
The water heater tucked away in the corner of your garage is an invisible friend providing your family with many comforts like warm water for showers, cleaning dishes, and using the washing machine. So, like most homeowners, chances are, you don’t think too much about it unless something goes horribly wrong.
If something were to happen to your water heater, every bath would be cold, whether or not you wanted it that way. Your dishes and clothes wouldn’t fare much better. Plus, no one has ever said cold water has sanitizing properties.
When to Consider a Water Heater Replacement for Your Chester, VA Home
Before you replace your water heater, it’s important to determine whether your old system is on its last legs. Consider replacing your old water heater if:
Its output is low: Does your water heater have trouble keeping up with the family demand for hot water? A professional should drain and flush your unit at least once a year. When homeowners neglect this task, it leads to a buildup of sediment in the water heater that compromises the amount of water the reservoir holds.
Discolored water is coming out of your spigot: If rusty water is coming out of your pipes, it signifies the inside of your water heater is rusting. If the water is smelly or cloudy, this indicates a high level of mineral sediment is at the bottom of your tank.
It’s noisy: Is your water heater popping, banging, or rumble as it heats up? This indicates there’s sludge at the bottom of your tank.
It’s leaking: Even small leaks from your water heater indicate your unit is failing.
It breaks down all the time: Have you spent more money than your old unit’s worth just to keep it hanging on for a while longer? At this point, it’s time to give up the ghost and replace your unit.
It’s old: Is your water heater 10-15 years old? Chances are, it’s on its last legs – if it hasn’t knocked out already.
If the scenarios mentioned above ring with familiarity, it’s time to replace your water heater. Just remember, it’s not recommended you handle a water heater replacement by yourself. It’s best to employ the help of a proven company in your neck of the woods.
Benefits of a Water Heater Replacement
No one’s happy when their heater ceases to function, it’s a headache to say the least. It’s important to pay attention to your heater’s lifespan so you can replace it before it leaks or malfunctions in other ways. There are several benefits to this:
More Hot Water
Water heaters of old worked well – until it ran out of its hot water reserves. Whoever went behind the hot water hog had to suffer from cold showers.
How things have changed. Some of today’s water heaters produce unlimited amounts of hot water. No matter how many showers you and your family take or water-using appliances you run, cold water is a thing of the past.
Pre-emptive Plumbing
All appliances have a specific expected lifespan, usually covered by a warranty. Replacing your water heaters before it fails prevents you from waiting a long time for a replacement. You’ll always have optimal performance whenever you need it.
Furthermore, if you wait too long to replace your water heater, it may burst. This spreads water throughout your garage or home, wreaking havoc and causing damage, that’ll take a pretty penny to fix.
Taking Advantage of the Latest Innovations
Technology’s touch extends to every field. Replacing your water heater may not be as exciting as a new computer, but it’s a worthwhile update for your Chester, VA home. These new heaters take less energy to heat the water in your tank and keep the hot water at a constant temperature for a long time.
Technology has also improved the way these new units trap heat. They do so by preventing frigid outside temperature from affecting the water inside the tank. The new water heaters will save money on energy costs, paying for themselves over time.
Save Space
Tankless water heaters are a lot smaller than their older counterparts. Less space for your water heating system equals more space for you.
Installing Your New Water Heater: What You Need to Know
A water heater replacement isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s recommended you leave this task to the professionals. There are several benefits to going this route:
- Professional advice: Not sure which water heater to pick? A professional will help you find the right water heater replacement for your needs.
- Experience: A company with a proven record of success ensures you won’t have to deal with any of the issues that come with installation, like leaks or improper placement.
- Compliance: Water heaters come with specific safety standards the installer must adhere to. These are different depending on where you live and if your new water heater runs on electricity or gas or even if it’s tankless or not. This specific information isn’t something you’d find on YouTube unless you’re really lucky.
- Save time: It’s a pain in the neck when your water heater isn’t working. A professional technician will get your water heater replacement up and running in no time.
- Consider an add-on: Let’s say you don’t have room for a large tank but still need a lot of hot water, a thermostatic mixing valve can help. It lets more water flow in the tank while simultaneously diluting it down to a safe temperature before it hits your skin.
The Bottom Line
Having a professional replace your water heater is a good way to save energy, time, and money. If you are interested in a water heater replacement in Chester VA, reach out to bluefrog Plumbing and Drain. Our expert plumbing technicians are available to help with water heater replacements, repairs, maintenance, and emergency plumbing emergencies on both residential and commercial properties.