Will My Water Heater Explode?
As the unsung heroes of the home, water heaters deserve proper care. We often only think of them when they’ve stopped working and we’re left with no hot water and thoughts of explosions. At RX-Plumbing, we specialize in expert repair and replacement of conventional, tankless, and solar-powered water heaters for optimal safety and efficiency, so you can trust us with your concerns.
“Periodically checking your water heater is the best way to ensure your water stays hot and you stay safe.”
Will my water heater explode?
While it’s highly unlikely that your water heater will ever explode, know that it can! But before that ever happens, you’ll probably just find yourself in an ice-cold shower early one morning; though it’ll wake you up, making an emergency call to your plumber is no way to start a day. Periodically checking your water heater is the best way to ensure your water stays hot and you stay safe. You can evaluate three factors to help decide whether you require a water heater repair or replacement:
1. Age
The average lifespan of a water heater is 10-12 years, and how well it’s been maintained will significantly impact its life expectancy. Simple routine maintenance like flushing the tank yearly and periodically replacing the anode rod will extend its life. Water heaters are simple machines with few parts, so any necessary repairs will likely be limited to either the pressure relief valve, thermostat, heating element, or burner.
2. Condition
The anode rod inside the water heater is prone to corrosion, so regular replacement of these rods can prevent many ordinary water heater issues. However, a leaking or ruptured tank isn’t usually repairable and will often require a full replacement. If your water heater has burst due to a faulty pressure relief valve, it’s unlikely to be repaired. We recommend testing the pressure relief valve occasionally by lifting the valve, then letting it snap back down; you should be able to see or hear water draining if the valve is working correctly. If you don’t hear or see water, turn the water heater off and contact RX-Plumbing immediately.
3. Budget
Repairing a water heater will almost always be less expensive than installing a new one. However, most homeowners opt to save money and energy over time by investing into a new energy-efficient unit or a tankless water heater.
Whether you need repairs, are looking to upgrade to a newer, more efficient model, or simply want a professional inspection, you can trust us to diagnose the problem and provide advice on various repair and replacement options. We understand that fully replacing a water heater can be expensive, so we’ll always work to make any possible repairs first. If the issue has compromised the tank, we’ll safely replace it with a model that fits your needs and saves you energy in the long run. We’d love to answer your questions to dispel your fears and handle the heavy lifting.
Get ahold of us today for a quick and free estimate!