Water heaters are incredibly tough systems. They’re built to last years in constant contact with water, and if you take good care of them they can last even longer. Unfortunately, however, they cannot last forever. At some point, you will eventually have to replace your water heater. If you aren’t sure whether or not your water heater needs replacing, read on.
Rise in Repair Costs
As a water heater ages, it develops wear on all the different parts of its system. Eventually, that wear and tear will cause the parts to break completely. Since every part of the system wears down at a slightly different pace, this can lead to cascades where multiple parts fail in rapid succession. If you have to have your water heater repaired every few months, it’s time to consider replacing it.
Loss of Output
If you place enough demand on your water heater, you can eventually overwhelm it. At that point, you’ll have to wait until it can heat more water. There’s a difference between that and a permanent loss of output, though. When that happens, it’s a sign that your water heater is getting too worn out to do its job properly anymore. You should replace it at that point.
Age
Water heaters are designed to last between 10 and 20 years. Past that point, they become less and less efficient and more liable to develop serious problems. You can keep your water heater operating past that time frame, but you will likely be paying far more than you need to trying to keep it alive. It’s better to just replace it.
If you need to replace your water heater, call Saddleback Plumbing. We offer a full range of water heater installation services throughout Mission Viejo, CA.