What are the causes of a hot water heater breaking?
There are several reasons why a hot water heater may break, including:
- Sediment buildup: Over time, sediment and minerals can accumulate at the bottom of the tank, reducing its efficiency and causing it to overheat, leading to failure.
- Corrosion can occur over time, particularly in areas with hard water or where the anode rod has deteriorated. Corrosion can cause leaks, rust, or other damage to the tank, leading to failure.
- Overuse: Using the water heater more than it was designed to handle can cause it to wear out more quickly, leading to premature failure.
- High water pressure: High pressure can cause stress on the tank and lead to leaks or other damage.
- Faulty parts: Faulty parts, such as the thermostat, heating element, or pressure relief valve, can cause the hot water heater to malfunction and eventually break down.
- Age: Water heaters have a lifespan of around 10-15 years, and as they get older, they are more likely to fail due to wear and tear.
Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent these issues and extend the hot water heater’s life.
Repairing Hot Water Heater
The water heater is arguably one of the essential appliances in your home. But it’s also the most neglected. Tucked away in your dark, damp basement is the one thing standing between an ice-cold shower and clothes and dishes that won’t get clean.
And if it’s been a while since you gave your water heater an inspection, it might be high time to do so. Routine inspections can save you hundreds in water heater repair costs.
Speaking of water heater repair costs, the national average currently sits at around $525, with the range running from $206 – $845 for repair.
While costly, a malfunctioning water heater is something NONE of us want to go without. Imagine this. You wake up to a cold winter morning. To warm up you thought a nice hot shower would do the trick…but to your shock and awe, the water hurling towards you is nothing but ice cold!
Cold water that will not warm up despite you turning on the “hot” water nozzle indicates that your water heater needs repair. The good news is that conventional modern heaters are fairly straightforward. That being the case, only so many things can go wrong with them, and it isn’t all that difficult to troubleshoot the cause.
Here’s how it works:
Cold water enters the take via your hard water line. Depending on your setup, this cold water is then heated by an electric element or gas burner. As the water heats, the pressure inside the unit builds. When you open your tap, pressure from the unit delivers hot water up the pipes and to your faucet or showerhead.
Common causes of water heater failures include:
- The pilot light has gone out
- Gas or water leak
- Disconnected or corroded electric power wire
- Tripped circuit breaker
- Broken or malfunctioning thermostat
- Tripped pressure relief valve
- Burner or element failure
As you can imagine, some are “easy” repairs, and a few may warrant investing in a new water heater.
Types of Water Heaters
There are only three main types:
- Gas
- Electric
- And “on demand,” which can be either gas or electric powered
Gas units heat the water with a flame, and electric units heat it with an “element” or coils. Both have similar life spans, and both are similar in cost to repair.
When to Repair and When to Replace
That is the key question. When is it appropriate to replace and when is it more cost-effective to repair your water heater?
A new unit may run you $750-$1300, with new tanks having an estimated life span of around 10-15 years. However, if a repair is all that’s needed, you could save yourself hundreds of dollars in unnecessary costs.
This is where it makes sense to call in the pros. A water heater specialist or plumber will know exactly what to look for and what you need. They can advise you on the pros and cons of each approach and will help consult you to make the right decision.
Will Repairing my Hot Water Heater Result in Lower Bills
Depending on what was wrong with your heater in the first place, it most certainly can. A unit not functioning at peak or optimal capacity often requires more energy (gas or electric) to heat the same amount of water. As such, tuning and repairing your water heater can often save you cash on utility bills.
About Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC
Exclusively Serving Bergen County, New Jersey
Michael Muccia is a Master Plumber and the owner and operator of Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC. Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC is a full-service Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) service company based in and serving Bergen County, NJ, since 1978. The Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC team of trained and certified service technicians offers various services, including general plumbing and heating maintenance, for residential and commercial clients.
Whatever your plumbing, heating, air conditioning, or ventilation needs are, it’s easier with Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC. We treat our customers, large and small, with the best service in the industry. We know you have a choice when considering an HVAC company, and no matter what we do for you, we treat it as the most crucial job in our history. Our experience proves that we know how to work efficiently, which keeps costs low, uses only the best components within budget, and stands behind the work we do.
Muccia Plumbing, Heating & AC has locations in the following areas:
Hackensack | Hillside | Ramsey | Waldwick | Maywood | Tenafly
