Most homeowners don’t spend time thinking about where our hot water comes from. We turn on the hot water, give it the time it needs to heat up and that’s it. So when your home’s water heater gives out one day, you’re left wondering, “What now?”.
You were probably shown the water heater when you bought the house but haven’t thought about it since. Now that it’s busted, it could be leaking water and you need to fix it as soon as possible. Here are 4 questions to ask yourself when your water heater starts causing problems.
1. Is water leaking or flooding out of the water heater?
A small leak may be an indicator of major problems but it could also be something as simple as condensation on a cold day. Determine the cause and if it is an actual leak, call a plumber [link to finding a good plumber]. Obviously, if the water heater is flooding, you will need to replace it.
First, prevent any further damage by turning off your water either by shutting off the gas valve or by cutting of the electricity through the circuit breaker. You should also turn off the cold water to prevent it from filling your hot water heater. And finally, if there is any water left in the water heater, drain it out into any drain by using a hose attached to the drain valve.
2. Do you have a gas or electric attachment?
Before you buy a new water heater make sure you know which type of connection your home has in place. Changing the connection will be expensive an unnecessary.
3. Should you get a tankless or traditional water heater?
These days, there are different types of water heaters you can choose from. A tankless water heater will last more than 20 years. That is much longer than a traditional water, which only lasts about 10 years. Tankless water heaters also cut down on energy costs because they don’t waste energy keeping an entire tank of water warm. However, a tankless water heater is significantly more expensive. Go through the pros and cons before coming to a decision.
4. How much will it cost?
A traditional water heater will cast you from $700 to $1300 and a tankless water heater usually costs twice as much.
Sometimes your water heater won’t give you any warning before busting, and all of a sudden you have a flooding problem, too. Water heater’s usually only last about 10 years but can last longer with a little care and attention. Check it regularly, keep the heating temperature to about 120 (deg) F, and keep in mind that piping for water appliances will wear from the inside out. You may not notice any problems until the piping bursts. Once your new water heater is installed, you’ll be back to your regular stress free daily life.
If you are planning on selling your home soon and notice an issue with the house’s water heater, it is in your best interest to replace it with a traditional water heater. A home with a broken water heater will struggle to sell. Talk to your First Team real estate agent about your options.
