When the hot water quits, the first question is always the same: can it be fixed, or do I need a new one? The honest answer depends on three things — how old the heater is, what has failed, and whether the tank itself is compromised.
Start with the age. Find the label on the side of the tank; the serial number usually encodes the manufacture date, and the label often prints it outright. A conventional tank water heater typically lasts 10 to 12 years in our area, where hard water shortens the life of tanks and elements.
Repairs that usually make sense: a failed thermostat, a burnt-out heating element on an electric unit, a thermocouple or pilot assembly on a gas unit, a stuck or dripping temperature-and-pressure relief valve, or a leaking drain valve. These are inexpensive parts on a heater that otherwise has years left.
Signs it's time to replace: water pooling under the tank (the tank itself has corroded through and cannot be repaired), rusty or discolored hot water, loud rumbling or popping from heavy sediment buildup on an older unit, or a heater past 10–12 years that has needed more than one repair.
There's also a middle ground. If your heater is around eight to ten years old and needs a moderate repair, ask what the repair costs compared with a new unit. Sometimes it's worth putting money into the old one; sometimes you're paying to delay the inevitable by a year.
Whichever way it goes, a couple of things extend the life of any water heater in the Inland Empire: flushing the tank once a year to clear sediment, checking the anode rod every few years, and keeping the temperature set around 120°F.
PKA Plumbing repairs and installs water heaters for homes and businesses in Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley, Fontana, San Bernardino, Ontario and across the Inland Empire. We'll tell you honestly whether a repair is worth it. Call or text (951) 333-7410 for a free estimate.